Combining parts within SolidWorks is a fairly simple process. Two methods are to save your assembly as a part file or to use the insert part command to combine parts into one file. The first, saving an assembly as a part, replaces the parts with surfaces that represent the bodies within an assembly, eliminating any feature history.… Read more...

(Source fastcodesign.com)
Diving into a new set of tools can be intimidating. I’ll admit when I first started working with the SolidWorks Surfacing tools, I was apprehensive, but soon found that the tools are a lot simpler than they seem.… Read more...

Aside from geometry that overlaps, there are very few limitations to the form tools in SolidWorks Sheet Metal. With a few simple steps, you can create your own custom form tools and easily modify and update them. The video below, takes you through the process of making your own form tools: … Read more...
There are certain shapes and surfaces that are difficult to mate in SolidWorks, without first adding a reference or two. For example, if you try mating a sphere to a non-planar surface, the only option that SolidWorks gives you is the lock mate.… Read more...
You probably do it all the time; I know I do. You set up the perfect view, for a render, in Photoview 360 and create a render, only to have to make a small change to the model for a new render.… Read more...
While it is difficult to simulate the actual compression of a spring in SolidWorks, you can create multiple configurations to represent the different compression states of a spring. This will allow you to quickly switch back and forth between different lengths of a spring, and with a design table, you can easily create as many configurations as needed.… Read more...