2D CAD systems and the SOLIDWORKS application have fundamentally different approaches. In 2D CAD systems, you design in a 2D environment. In SOLIDWORKS, you design in a 3D environment, and you create 2D drawings based on the 3D model. The first three lessons of the SOLIDWORKS Tutorials cover basic part, assembly, and drawing concepts.
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2D CAD Systems |
SOLIDWORKS |
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| Types of Models |
2D drawings |
3D solid parts and assemblies, from which you generate 2D drawings |
| Sketching versus Drawing |
drawings |
sketching is the basis for features, which are the basis for parts; drawings are generated from part and assembly models |
| Feature-based Models |
models are viewed as a set of lines in 2D |
parts are made up of features, as assemblies are made up of parts |
| Types of files |
.dwg files |
.sldprt (parts)
.sldasm (assemblies)
.slddrw (drawings)
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| Glass Box Visualization |
visualize 3D models into 2D drawings |
visualize (and convert) 2D drawings into 3D models |
| Templates |
drawing templates |
part, assembly, and drawing templates |
| Dimensions |
geometry drives dimensions |
dimensions define the geometry |
| Design Intent |
accurate lines describe objects |
design intent is captured by dimensions, relations, and equations |
| Configurations |
configurations drawn manually |
configurations of part or assembly models created in the model document |
| Exploded Views |
exploded views drawn manually |
exploded views are created as configurations in assembly documents |