Moving from 2D to 3D

As a 2D CAD system user, you think about designing and drawing a certain way, and you are accustomed to using certain tools. Moving from 2D to 3D helps you learn some of the differences between SolidWorks and 2D CAD systems, for example AutoCAD® software. Links in this Help take you to related topics in SolidWorks Help, to SolidWorks tutorials, and to other sources of information.

At first, 2D CAD users, who have typically placed lines at will and created their own blocks, might feel restricted by SolidWorks, which requires dimensions to agree with the actual length of lines and which provides ready-made annotations. However, new users will quickly gain confidence that SolidWorks does what they want. The automatic features and available tools save time, and considerable flexibility is built into the tools.

Areas of Discussion