SolidWorks Surfacing and Complex Shape Modeling Bible - Book Depository

SolidWorks Surfacing and Complex Shape Modeling Bible: A Comprehensive Guide for Designers

If you are a designer who wants to create stunning and realistic 3D models of complex shapes and surfaces using SolidWorks, then this article is for you. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about SolidWorks surfacing and complex shape modeling. You will learn how to apply concepts, utilize tools, and combine techniques and strategies in hands-on tutorials. You will also learn how to avoid common errors and optimize your models for quality and performance.

solidworks surfacing and complex shape modeling bible pdf download

This article is based on the book SolidWorks Surfacing and Complex Shape Modeling Bible by Matt Lombard, which is a comprehensive guide that covers the range from sketching splines and shelling to modeling blends and decorative features. Complete with professional tips and real-world examples, this inclusive guide enables you to coax more out of SolidWorks surfacing tools.

What is SolidWorks?

SolidWorks is a powerful and popular 3D CAD software that is used by millions of engineers and designers worldwide. It allows you to design, simulate, document, and manufacture products of any shape and size. It also offers a wide range of tools and features for creating 3D models of solids, surfaces, sheet metal, weldments, moldings, assemblies, and drawings. It is compatible with various file formats and standards, and integrates with other applications and systems.

What is surfacing and complex shape modeling?

Surfacing and complex shape modeling are techniques that allow you to create 3D models of objects that have complex shapes and surfaces, such as organic forms, freeform shapes, sculpted models, etc. Unlike solid modeling, which uses primitive shapes and boolean operations to create models, surfacing and complex shape modeling use curves and surfaces to define the shape and appearance of the models. Curves are 1D entities that represent the paths or edges of the models. Surfaces are 2D entities that represent the faces or skins of the models. By combining curves and surfaces, you can create 3D models of any shape and complexity.

Why use SolidWorks for surfacing and complex shape modeling?

SolidWorks is a great software for surfacing and complex shape modeling for several reasons:

• It offers a rich set of tools and features for creating and editing curves and surfaces, such as splines, sketches, lofts, sweeps, boundaries, fills, trims, extends, knits, offsets, thickenings, shells, domes, deforms, flexes, freeforms, etc.

• It allows you to create hybrid models that combine solids and surfaces in the same model.

• It allows you to convert surfaces to solids and vice versa using various tools such as knit surface, thicken cut, combine, intersect, etc.

• It allows you to analyze surfaces using various tools such as curvature, zebra stripes, deviation analysis, draft analysis, etc.

• It allows you to troubleshoot surface errors using various tools such as check entity, diagnose, repair gaps, heal edges, etc.

• It allows you to optimize surface models using various tools such as simplify surface, delete face, replace face, move face, etc.

• It provides a user-friendly and intuitive interface that makes surfacing and complex shape modeling easy and fun.

How to get started with SolidWorks surfacing and complex shape modeling?

To get started with SolidWorks surfacing and complex shape modeling, you need to have the following prerequisites:

• A computer that meets the minimum system requirements for running SolidWorks.

• A license or subscription for using SolidWorks.

• A basic knowledge of SolidWorks interface and commands.

• A basic knowledge of 3D geometry and mathematics.

• A creative mind and a willingness to learn and experiment.

Once you have these prerequisites, you can follow these steps to set up the software and environment for surfacing and complex shape modeling:

• Launch SolidWorks and create a new part document.

• Select the units and the origin of the part document.

• Select the display style and the shading mode of the part document.

• Select the options and preferences for sketching, modeling, and displaying curves and surfaces.

• Add the surfacing toolbar and the curves toolbar to the command manager or the task pane.

• Save the part document with a meaningful name and location.

How to sketch splines and curves in SolidWorks?

Splines and curves are essential elements for creating surfaces and complex shapes in SolidWorks. Splines are smooth curves that are defined by control points or fit points. Curves are entities that are derived from sketches, equations, projections, intersections, etc. To sketch splines and curves in SolidWorks, you can use the following tools:

ToolDescription

SplineCreates a spline by placing control points or fit points on a sketch plane or a 3D space. You can edit the spline by dragging or adding or deleting points, changing the tangency or curvature conditions, adding dimensions or relations, etc.

Spline on SurfaceCreates a spline on an existing surface by placing control points or fit points on the surface. You can edit the spline by dragging or adding or deleting points, changing the tangency or curvature conditions, adding dimensions or relations, etc.

spline. You can edit the spline by dragging or adding or deleting vertices, changing the tangency or curvature conditions, adding dimensions or relations, etc.

Fit SplineCreates a spline that fits a sketch entity or a set of sketch entities. You can edit the spline by changing the fit tolerance, the degree of the spline, the end conditions, etc.

3D SketchCreates a 3D sketch that can contain sketch entities in any plane or direction. You can use 3D sketch to create 3D curves and splines.

Equation Driven CurveCreates a curve that is defined by an equation in a 2D or 3D sketch. You can edit the curve by changing the equation, the range of values, the scale factor, etc.

Projected CurveCreates a curve that is projected from one or more sketch entities onto a plane or a surface. You can edit the curve by changing the projection type, the direction, the sketch entities, etc.

Composite CurveCreates a curve that is composed of two or more sketch entities or curves. You can edit the curve by changing the order, the direction, the continuity, etc.

Split LineCreates a curve that splits a face or a surface into two or more regions. You can edit the curve by changing the sketch entity, the face or surface, etc.

Intersection CurveCreates a curve that is the intersection of two or more faces or surfaces. You can edit the curve by changing the faces or surfaces, etc.

Helix and SpiralCreates a helix or a spiral curve that is defined by parameters such as pitch, revolutions, height, taper angle, etc. You can edit the curve by changing the parameters, the start and end conditions, etc.

Curve Through Reference PointsCreates a curve that passes through a set of reference points such as vertices, sketch points, etc. You can edit the curve by changing the reference points, the interpolation method, etc.

Curve Through XYZ PointsCreates a curve that passes through a set of XYZ points that are imported from a text file. You can edit the curve by changing the text file, the interpolation method, etc.

How to create surfaces from sketches in SolidWorks?

Surfaces are 2D entities that represent the faces or skins of 3D models. To create surfaces from sketches in SolidWorks, you can use the following tools:

ToolDescription

Extruded SurfaceCreates a surface by extruding a sketch entity along a direction. You can edit the surface by changing the sketch entity, the direction, the distance, the end condition, etc.

Revolved SurfaceCreates a surface by revolving a sketch entity around an axis. You can edit the surface by changing the sketch entity, the axis, the angle, the end condition, etc.

Swept SurfaceCreates a surface by sweeping a sketch profile along a sketch path. You can edit the surface by changing the profile, the path, the orientation, the twist, the guide curves, etc.

Lofted SurfaceCreates a surface by lofting between two or more sketch profiles. You can edit the surface by changing the profiles, the start and end constraints, the guide curves, the connectors, etc.

Boundary SurfaceCreates a surface by blending between two or more sketch curves in two directions. You can edit the surface by changing the curves, the tangency and curvature conditions, the connectors, etc.

Fill SurfaceCreates a surface by filling a boundary that is defined by sketch entities, edges, or curves. You can edit the surface by changing the boundary, the contact and curvature conditions, the internal constraints, etc.

Planar SurfaceCreates a planar surface from a closed sketch entity or a set of sketch entities. You can edit the surface by changing the sketch entity or entities, etc.

Ruled SurfaceCreates a surface by sweeping a straight line along a sketch entity, an edge, or a curve. You can edit the surface by changing the entity, the edge, or the curve, the direction, the angle, the distance, etc.

Offset SurfaceCreates a surface by offsetting an existing face or surface by a distance. You can edit the surface by changing the face or surface, the distance, the direction, etc.

Mid SurfaceCreates a surface that is midway between two parallel faces or surfaces. You can edit the surface by changing the faces or surfaces, etc.

How to modify surfaces in SolidWorks?

Surfaces can be modified using various tools and features in SolidWorks. To modify surfaces in SolidWorks, you can use the following tools:

ToolDescription

Trim SurfaceTrims a surface or a set of surfaces using sketch entities, edges, curves, or other surfaces as trim tools. You can edit the trim by changing the trim tools, the trim type, the keep or remove selection, etc.

Extend SurfaceExtends a surface or a set of surfaces using sketch entities, edges, curves, or other surfaces as boundaries. You can edit the extend by changing the boundaries, the extend type, the distance, etc.

Knit SurfaceKnits two or more surfaces into one surface. You can edit the knit by changing the surfaces, the gap control, the merge option, etc.

Untrim SurfaceUntrims a trimmed surface to its original shape. You can edit the untrim by changing the selection of faces or edges to untrim.

Delete FaceDeletes one or more faces from a surface or a solid model. You can edit the delete face by changing the selection of faces, the delete option, etc.

Replace FaceReplaces one or more faces of a surface or a solid model with another face or surface. You can edit the replace face by changing the selection of faces to replace and faces to replace with.

Radiate SurfaceRadiates a surface from an axis of revolution. You can edit the radiate by changing the axis, the angle, the direction, etc.

Mutual TrimTrims two surfaces mutually using their intersection as the trim tool. You can edit the mutual trim by changing the selection of surfaces and regions to keep or remove.

Cut with SurfaceCuts a solid model with a surface as the cutting tool. You can edit the cut with surface by changing the surface, the direction, the keep or discard option, etc.

Sew SurfaceSews two or more surfaces into one solid model. You can edit the sew by changing the surfaces, the tolerance, etc.

How to create complex shapes from surfaces in SolidWorks?

Surfaces can be used to create complex shapes that are difficult or impossible to create with solids. To create complex shapes from surfaces in SolidWorks, you can use the following tools:

ToolDescription

td>Creates a solid or a surface by thickening an existing surface by a distance. You can edit the thicken by changing the surface, the distance, the direction, the keep or discard option, etc.

ShellCreates a hollow solid or a surface by removing material from an existing solid or surface. You can edit the shell by changing the solid or surface, the thickness, the faces to remove, etc.

DomeCreates a dome-shaped surface on an existing face or surface. You can edit the dome by changing the face or surface, the height, the reverse direction option, etc.

DeformDeforms a surface or a solid using various methods such as curve to curve, point to point, surface push, surface pull, etc. You can edit the deform by changing the method, the parameters, the region to deform, etc.

FlexFlexes a surface or a solid using various modes such as bend, twist, taper, stretch, etc. You can edit the flex by changing the mode, the parameters, the triad position and orientation, etc.

FreeformFreeforms a surface or a solid by manipulating control points or curves on a mesh. You can edit the freeform by changing the mesh density and quality, the control points or curves position and orientation, etc.

How to blend surfaces in SolidWorks?

Surfaces can be blended using various tools and features in SolidWorks. Blending surfaces creates smooth transitions between surfaces and improves the aesthetics and functionality of the models. To blend surfaces in SolidWorks, you can use the following tools:

ToolDescription

FilletCreates a fillet surface between two adjacent faces or surfaces. You can edit the fillet by changing the faces or surfaces, the radius, the type, the propagation, etc.

ChamferCreates a chamfer surface between two adjacent faces or surfaces. You can edit the chamfer by changing the faces or surfaces, the distance, the angle, the type, etc.

Face FilletCreates a fillet surface between two non-adjacent faces or surfaces. You can edit the face fillet by changing the faces or surfaces, the radius, the type, the hold line option, etc.

Variable FilletCreates a fillet surface with variable radius along its length. You can edit the variable fillet by changing the faces or surfaces, the radius values and positions, the type, the propagation, etc.

How to add decorative features to surfaces in SolidWorks?

Surfaces can be decorated using various tools and features in SolidWorks. Decorating surfaces adds details and patterns to surfaces and enhances their appearance and functionality. To decorate surfaces in SolidWorks, you can use the following tools:

ToolDescription

Split LineSplits a face or a surface into two or more regions using sketch entities, edges, curves, or other surfaces as split tools. You can edit the split line by changing the split tools, the split type, etc.

WrapWraps a sketch entity onto a face or a surface. You can edit the wrap by changing the sketch entity, the face or surface, the wrap type, etc.

IndentIndents a face or a surface with another face or surface as the indent tool. You can edit the indent by changing the face or surface, the indent tool, the depth, etc.

use the following tools:

ToolDescription

Knit SurfaceKnits two or more surfaces into one solid model. You can edit the knit by changing the surfaces, the gap control, the merge option, etc.

Thicken CutCuts a solid model with a surface as the cutting tool and thickens the remaining surfaces. You can edit the thicken cut by changing the surface, the direction, the thickness, the keep or discard option, etc.

CombineCombines two or more solid models into one solid model using boolean operations such as add, subtract, or common. You can edit the combine by changing the solid models, the operation type, etc.

IntersectIntersects two or more solid models or surfaces and creates a solid model from the intersecting region. You can edit the intersect by changing the solid models or surfaces, the region to keep or remove, etc.

How to analyze surfaces in SolidWorks?

Surfaces can be analyzed using various tools and features in SolidWorks. Analyzing surfaces helps you to evaluate the quality and performance of the surfaces and identify any errors or defects. To analyze surfaces in SolidWorks, you can use the following tools:

ToolDescription

CurvatureDisplays the curvature of a face or a surface using a color scale. You can edit the curvature by changing the face or surface, the scale type, the min and max values, etc.

Zebra StripesDisplays the continuity of a face or a surface using zebra stripes. You can edit the zebra stripes by changing the face or surface, the stripe width, the stripe angle, etc.

Deviation AnalysisDisplays the deviation between two faces or surfaces using a color scale. You can edit the deviation analysis by changing the faces or surfaces, the scale type, the min and max values, etc.

Draft AnalysisDisplays the draft angle of a face or a surface using a color scale. You can edit the draft analysis by changing the face or surface, the direction of pull, the neutral plane option, etc.

td>Checks a face or a surface for errors such as gaps, overlaps, invalid edges, etc. You can edit the check entity by changing the face or surface, the check type, the tolerance, etc.

DiagnoseDiagnoses a surface or a solid model for errors such as invalid faces, invalid edges, invalid loops, etc. You can edit the diagnose by changing the surface or solid model, the diagnose option, etc.

Repair GapsRepairs gaps between surfaces by extending or trimming the surfaces. You can edit the repair gaps by changing the surfaces, the gap tolerance, etc.

Heal EdgesHeals edges between surfaces by creating new surfaces that fill the gaps. You can edit the heal edges by changing the surfaces, the edge tolerance, etc.

How to troubleshoot surface errors in SolidWorks?

Surfaces can have errors that prevent them from being modified or converted to solids. Some common surface errors and their causes and solutions are:

ErrorCauseSolution

Zero-thickness geometryThe