SolidWorks is often used for professional applications, such as engineering or the design of a new product. Even if you are a professional in your field, you may not know about this software, or you may be just starting out and want some pointers on how to use it.
According to the company itself, in 2013, over two million people, and 165,000 companies used this software, so understanding how it works is important to broadening your career field.
However, starting out on a new piece of software isn’t easy. Additionally, since the software is so expensive, it may be hard to actually practice with it until you get your first job using the software. By watching tutorials, you can start to learn about the basics of SolidWorks beforehand and get ready to jump in right away.
Check out this article where I compare SolidWorks vs Fusion 360
About SolidWorks
SolidWorks is a pretty old software product. It has been around since 1995. Thankfully, it does update to keep up with the times, with the last one being in 2022. It is a large, and well-used software, with over 3.5 million licenses having been sold throughout the entire world.
With it being so popular and having so many purposes it can be used for, it can be overwhelming to learn it for the first time.
There are college classes that focus on it, but cheaper online classes may be a better option if you are busy. These tutorials can help you touch up your skills if it has been a while, or start completely from the beginning.
| Feature | Description |
| System Requirements | SolidWorks is only available on Microsoft Windows |
| Date Released | Released on November 1, 1995 |
| Last Update | SolidWorks 2023 was released on September 29, 2022 |
| Rating | 8.4 on TrustRadius |
| Uses | SolidWorks is a software designed for modeling and engineering |
| Cost | SolidWorks costs anywhere from $860 to $16,000, depending on the local reseller or partner, but does offer a free trial |
Introduction to SOLIDWORKS
- How Many Videos: 37 lessons
- How Long: 2 hours and 40 minutes
- Level: Beginner
If you want to get started with SolidWorks but don’t have any idea where to start, this introduction is a great idea. It helps you to get used to the way the software works and the layout of all its features and then goes into the fundamentals you will need for starting any project.
No matter why you may want to learn how to use SolidWorks, this tutorial will cover the necessary foundations you need.
SolidWorks 2022 - Basic Modeling for Beginners Tutorial with Training Guide, Tips
- How Many Videos: 1 lesson
- How Long: 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Level: Beginner
Need an up-to-date tutorial? This one covers one of the newest SolidWorks updates, including basic sketching, extrusions, fillet, shell, and interface information.
While this is just one lesson, vertanux1 covers quite a bit of information on his playlist on YouTube. These lessons are free, so you can watch whichever ones you want to get the information you need.
SOLIDWORKS 2017-23: Become a Certified Associate Today-CSWA
- How Many Videos: 90 lessons
- How Long: 5 hours and 20 minutes
- Level: All levels
Despite this title sounding pretty clickbaity, it has a great review of 4.6 by almost 2,000 students. The class is usually around $125 but often goes on sale to well below $100, so it is something to watch out for.
It covers the basics but goes pretty far in depth, so you are immediately ready to start working when the class is over.
SolidWorks 2021: learn 3D CAD Using Real World Examples
- How Many Videos: 148 lessons
- How Long: 18 hours and 57 minutes
- Level: Beginner
Though this tutorial is for a previous version of SolidWorks, it still offers a great visual of how CAD works and how to use SolidWorks’ CAD program. This course is long but offers a lot of information, and is suited for beginners.
You can pick and choose which lessons to focus on if there are certain things you need to learn, or you can watch them all and get a broad overview of the software.
SolidWorks 2022 Beginner Tutorial 1: Interface, Add-ins, New Part, Options, Units, XY axis, Point
- How Many Resources: 1 lesson
- How Long: 8 minutes
- Level: Beginner
This is a free class that focuses on all sorts of beginner information about SolidWorks. The first episode is short, only about 8 minutes, to make the information easily digestible.
There are a total of four beginner lessons to choose from, but you can also look at his more detailed tutorials if you want to go more in-depth.
SOLIDWORKS Class 1: Interface and Navigation
- How Many Videos: 10 lessons
- How Long: 15 minutes
- Level: Beginner
Want a short introduction to SolidWorks to see how it works? You can easily see if this program might be for you, or what to expect when you open the software. The lesson is short, only 15 minutes, but covers a lot of what you need to know as soon as you open up SolidWorks.
SOLIDWORKS Class 11: Assemblies Advanced Mates
- How Many Videos: 10 lessons
- How Long: 48 minutes
- Level: Intermediate
Do you understand the basics of SolidWorks, and are ready to go more in-depth? This lesson covers a lot of information about advanced mates and how to apply them, as well as other mates and centers. It includes downloadable material as well.
Getting Started With SolidWorks Hands-On - Learn By Doing
- How Many Videos: 13 lessons
- How Long: 1 hour and 53 minutes
- Level: Beginner
This is a cheaper lesson option on Udemy, costing around $90, but it can go on sale for under $20 if you watch it. It’s another lesson set that covers the basics but quickly goes into depth so you can feel like an expert in no time.
SOLIDWORKS Class 5: SOLIDWORKS Materials and Mass Properties
- How Many Resources: 8 lessons
- How Long: 14 minutes
- Level: Beginner
If you are still a bit of a beginner but want to start to understand the materials and mass properties, then this lesson is a great option. It’s short and sweet, allowing you to practice as many times as you want, without having to watch a handful of lessons.
SOLIDWORKS Class 6: SOLIDWORKS Basic Assemblies
- How Many Videos: 15 lessons
- How Long: 56 minutes
- Level: Beginner
Want to know about the basics of assemblies on SolidWorks? This one-hour tutorial walks you through what they even are, how to set up, delete, and modify them, as well as some standard mates and assemblies you may want to know.
Best Solidworks Tutorials FAQS
How Much Does SolidWorks Cost?
SolidWorks is a little unique. You cannot easily buy it yourself online on the company’s website. Instead, you have to find a local reseller or partner of the company to sell it to you. SolidWorks isn’t cheap software.
Depending on what you need, and the seller you go through, you can easily expect it to be several thousand dollars.
What Is SolidWorks Used For?
SolidWorks is used for many purposes. However, it focuses on 3D CAD. In practice, the software has been used for 2D and 3D designs, cost and manufacturing design, estimations, checks about manufacturability, and data management between teams.
It can be used pretty much as your only system, as it can develop your idea and the systems from beginning to end. This means there is often little need to send information back and forth between software and programs to get a project finished.
Is SolidWorks Good For Beginners?
While SolidWorks is fairly easy to learn, and there are plenty of tutorials to get one started, it isn’t necessarily beginner-friendly software. By taking classes online or in college courses, you can easily understand how the software works and find yourself ready to use it.
However, the high cost and many features that someone wouldn’t use unless in a professional setting make it unideal for beginners. This software is designed to be primarily used for professional work and not for small designers and artists by any means.