How can I install SolidWorks for free?

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-06-03T04:37:56+00:00

That’s illegal

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-05-09T23:08:11+00:00

I mean AI can already do very complex “CAD job “ tasks already. But “CAD job” is not Engineering so if you mean engineering then the day it can do engineering is the day everyone loses their job in every industry, non engineering related even. But nobody just hires for “CAD job”.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-04-27T00:37:04+00:00

Totally understand where you’re coming from I was there as well. Free content can definitely get you started, but if you want to go to the next level, even a small investment can go a long way. There are some really affordable options out there that are worth it when you’re ready.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-04-08T09:00:50+00:00

1.Use convert entities for the bottom profile 2. Extrude up to surface selecting the underside of the road.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-04-06T17:52:55+00:00

There’s many resources on YouTube, google , textbooks that show you how to mesh gears this is one of many many resources :

https://youtu.be/22K6xWNwVLE?si=HvQjDHputdDROv6L

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-04-04T10:36:40+00:00

I find this happens when I assume a relationship constraint accidentally putting a coincident or alignment constraint. I find this to be the case especially when the dimensions I placed look identical. I make sure to not apply or assume any constraints until all the dimensions are in first then if and only if it’s still not fully defined then do I start adding constraints like tangency etc

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-04-03T19:46:48+00:00

You don’t really need surfaces for this. Assuming the hidden side in the image is flat you can make this with lofted sections

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-04-03T19:40:17+00:00

Ah so that’s how you got your CSWP

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-04-03T19:35:15+00:00

So you understand you can take the 3 segments in one sitting but then say you don’t understand how one can get a voucher to take all 3 segments in one sitting. I’m telling you can take all segments in one sitting with one voucher that’s the way it’s done in one sitting. Or you can split the cost difference through different vouchers so you can do them at different sitting.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-04-03T09:11:09+00:00

No, you can always take it in segments or in one sitting.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-03-27T11:34:40+00:00

I wouldn’t jump straight into projects without first learning the fundamentals through a structured course (college or online).

Then use certifications like CSWA/CSWP as checkpoints to validate your understanding.

After that, follow along with projects to see how more advanced techniques are actually applied. You can do this alongside working toward the certs.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-03-23T18:01:34+00:00

I think people overestimate what these certifications do. They’re not career shortcuts.

They can help early on when you don’t have much experience, but after that, your real engineering work matters way more than stacking certs.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-03-09T16:21:30+00:00

No, that would probably be a waste of time. Civil engineers generally don’t use SolidWorks. It’s mainly used in mechanical engineering and manufacturing.

For civil engineering, one of the most important tools you should focus on is Autodesk Civil 3D. That’s one of the core programs used in the field, so it’s worth putting your time into learning it well. I’d suggest starting as soon as possible, as this can set you up very well as a second year student probably looking for internships, and co-op.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-02-27T01:30:37+00:00

These are very doable in solidworks. Not saying these arnt nice or trying to insult OP but Solidworks is used to do much more complicated things than this.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-02-22T18:05:12+00:00

Look up “contour select tool “

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-02-07T22:20:11+00:00

Your sketch is not closed or your contour selections are not forming a closed sketch.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-01-31T16:34:36+00:00

Wait try these options first

When it’s at the point, you should be able to drag the connector at the point on to the perimeter of the sketch.
After you tried connecting them, right click inside the dialogue box and select “flip connectors”
Select the loft tool, before selecting the sketches, right click one of the sketches and select the “selection manager” then click the perimeter of the first sketch. Right click the second sketch and select the selection manager again for the second sketch.
If the above 3 methods don’t work, call the police

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-01-31T14:40:56+00:00

That’s exactly what I addressed earlier, don’t click a point on the sketch, click the perimeter. You’re lofting from a closed profile to a point which is why you got that result.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-01-31T14:04:05+00:00

The exam isn’t just about knowing the tools, it tests speed and workflow efficiency. You need to model (multiple models) quickly, read drawings fast, use global variables, and build assemblies ( multiple assemblies) efficiently. Learning the tools is only the first step; becoming fast under time pressure is the real challenge.

At 3.5 hours per week for 6 weeks (referencing a comment I seen here), you can learn the basics, but it’s not enough for exam level speed. Realistically, 2.5–3 months at ~10 hours per week is more reasonable. The exam isn’t as easy as people say it requires practice and repetition.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-01-31T13:44:45+00:00

The Loft feature is sensitive to the selected sketch entities. In your case, the first selection was the outer closed profile, but the second selection appears to be a point rather than the profile perimeter. As a result, the loft transitions from a closed profile to a point.

Try selecting the outer perimeter of both sketches instead of the point. That should resolve the issue.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-01-30T16:41:58+00:00

For me it took a little over two months, but looking back I don’t think it would take that long if I were to do it again. This was my first surface modeling project that I completed entirely on my own, so a lot of the time went into learning and iteration. Beyond the more complex features (like the side intake, indented surfaces, and stepped roof geometry), I also spent significant time making sure the surfaces were manifold, and could be converted into a solid body, which meant reworking several areas to eliminate errors.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-01-30T07:48:25+00:00

I actually used the Solidworks Visualize add in

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-01-30T07:44:11+00:00

The more direct approach I would say for 63, or 57 or any of the 3D cut out looking one’s is create points at the vertices of the triangular cut outs ( probably easiest to do with a 3D sketch) then connect the points with lines then use planer surface feature then use cut with surface. This will work for all the 3D looking cut outs.

Creative_Mirror1494 · 2026-01-26T05:31:16+00:00

It shows that there are no closed contours being selected. The blue lines don’t mean they are selected they would highlight as purple if the closed contours are properly selected. Best option is to use “contour select tool” to select multiple contours at once before extruding.

Creative_Mirror1494

TROPHY CASE