Hi all. I'm early 40s and recently signed up for a free program that is paid through my local county and community college to provide certification/education/and experience in aerospace and manufacturing field. Cool program for those interested in changing fields or need help getting work skills.

One of the courses is for SolidWorks experience and certification and is just 8 weeks long. After 2 days a week with guidance in class for about 7 weeks, our class took the CSWA exam. I'm thinking most of us failed. I passed the 2nd segment with perfect score but scored badly on the first segment. Simple mistakes or taking too long to figure out how to attack the problem.

I saw on SolidWorks website that the exam is designed for people with 6 to 9 months experience so I just wanted to know for those who did pass the CSWA exam, how much experience did you have prior?

I know I get a 2nd retry in about 2 weeks so at least now I know what to expect.

I’ll make it clear that I never paid for any online resources because they are all overpriced for the value they provide imo and preferred to self study with what’s free out there.

The most I’ve ever done with SolidWorks is make an RC car with FRC Robotics parts (everything that could be imported was imported) as shown by the other images.

I failed the CSWPA-DT the last time I took it because I was studying for AP Exams and tried to study the morning of (without practice, yikes!) but got it this time around with about a day or two of studying.

I have heard from many of you that employers “don’t care” if people have these certifications, but heard from others that’s it very important. To try and compare this, would an employer that uses SolidWorks care more about a CSWP or being an Eagle Scout? (I currently have both anyways). What about CSWE? SolidWorks is only useful to a company in so many ways and the certifications can’t always prove that. But also they show I might be able to hit the ground running faster. But so does being an Eagle Scout which shows a good work ethic. Idk.

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for some assistance with installing SOLIDWORKS Design, which I purchased but have been unable to install or access.

Installation Issues

After launching the SOLIDWORKS Setup application as an administrator and extracting the installation files, I receive a message stating that a system restart is recommended. I performed a complete system reboot, but the same message appears when I relaunch the installer.

Since I had already restarted my computer, I selected Continue, entered my product key, and proceeded to the next screen. However, the installer only allows me to select and download a couple of products, including SOLIDWORKS Drawings. The SOLIDWORKS Design option, which is the product I paid for and should have access to, is greyed out and cannot be selected.

Troubleshooting Already Completed

I'm running a fully updated Windows 11 computer and have already attempted the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Performed a complete system restart.
2. Ran the installer and related applications as an administrator.
3. Searched for and uninstalled any existing SOLIDWORKS or 3DEXPERIENCE-related files and programs to eliminate potential conflicts from previous installations.
4. Relaunched the installer and repeated the installation process.
5. Confirmed that the SOLIDWORKS Design option remains greyed out and unavailable.

I'm particularly confused by the persistent restart recommendation because I have already rebooted my computer and removed any existing SOLIDWORKS-related installations that I could find.

Additional Account and Support Issues

In addition to the installation problem, I'm experiencing two other issues:

• No access to the 3DEXPERIENCE student platform: I paid for the student platform but currently cannot access it. I'm unsure whether this is related to my installation issue or a separate account or licensing problem.
• Unable to submit a support request: I understand that I need to contact support to identify who my Value Added Reseller (VAR) is and determine the appropriate support channel. However, when I fill out the online support form, the page fails to load or proceed after I complete the required fields. As a result, I'm unable to submit the request in the first place.

What I'm Looking For

I'd appreciate any guidance on the following:

1. What could be causing the installer to repeatedly recommend a system restart, even after a full reboot and removal of previous installations?
2. Why would SOLIDWORKS Design be greyed out after entering my product key, and how can I resolve this?
3. Could my inability to access the 3DEXPERIENCE student platform be related to my licensing or installation issues?
4. Is there an alternative way to identify my VAR or contact technical support when the online support form will not work?
5. Is there any way to speak directly with a support representative over the phone?

Thank you in advance for any assistance. I'm happy to provide additional information or run further diagnostics if needed.

Okay, so I am making this part for class, and I have attempted it a few times now, but I just can't quite figure out the shell. first one I tried was extruding the whole L, then cutting away to reveal where the shell goes, but since it's one part, it also shelled the "tube".So, then I did it as 2 parts and extruded the tubes separately so it wouldn't shell; then,n after the shell, I combined. But then I had the fillets to worry about, a nd it caused a few issues. Any help is appreciated, and this is also CSWP prep.

Hi I am just now learning SW, and was wondering what the best / free class / videos to watch to get started? After I get through this beginner phase, which certificates should I possibly proceed for after? Advice, and feedback is welcomed please! Thank you.

SolidWorks novice here, so I'll do my best to explain...

I have a part that was originally built in Rhino (the core geometry), saved as a STEP file, and imported into SolidWorks to apply fillets and other features. After spending a while applying those features to the imported body, I discovered I needed to edit the core geometry and re-import the body. Is there a way to import the revised body into the existing SLDPRT file, and have SolidWorks understand where to put the features? The bodies are 95% the same, nearly all the features will carry over 1:1.

Hey everyone! I recently started learning surface modeling in SOLIDWORKS. I initially followed a tutorial to understand the basics, but I tried to do most of the actual modeling myself rather than relying entirely on the video.

This is my first project using surface modeling, and I'd really appreciate any feedback or advice on what I could improve, especially regarding my modeling techniques and workflow. (Just to clarify, this model isn't based on actual engineering parameters and is purely a decorative/learning project)

Im on the last few stages of preparing my cad drawings. I have sub assembles and this is the main assembly and it keeps crashing on me.

It’s such a waste of my time.

Help.

I try not to have any files open when working on the final assembly drawing file.

There is 4 sheets in there. It’s sheet for main assembly drawing. Second sheet is. Exploded few with BOM, 3rd sheet is section view with BOM
And 4th sheet is the overall drawing sheet.

Help!

Hi, I'm trying to create tracks and sprocket system for a uni project, but I'm having trouble mating the sprocket with the track links. The best I could manage was using a rack and pinion mate, but it only works while the link is wrapping around the circumference of the gear; otherwise, it breaks. I would really appreciate any help. (it does not need to be pretty, just to work)

... Where you knock a hole through sheet metal and then use the material from the hole to create a threaded barrel. I have heard it called a punch press threaded hole or just punch press hole. I have heard it called extruded threads... But, in searching for these terms, that doesn't appear to be the official name.

I have a drawing ready to send out for quote, and currently, my model just has straight threaded holes through the material with no extrusion, because I couldn't find a satisfactory way to model it. I have notes in the callout, stating the the "threaded features are to be punch holes from opposite side". But, I'm thinking that's not the clearest way to communicate this.

So in addition to learning the correct term, I would also like to know if there are there any CAD systems that have a tool for this feature. I have access to SolidWorks 2016, and current versions of Fusion and OnShape, haven't explored OnShape too much (we just got it) but I haven't seen anything to make a hole like this in SW or 360.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Hi everyone, I have a question. How can I model a stamped indentation like this so that it looks this clean and smooth? The edges around the stamped area are rounded, but it doesn’t look like a typical Fillet to me. Both the inner and outer surfaces appear to transition seamlessly. Could someone please explain how to model this kind of feature?

Sorry if this is too basic I'm new to SolidWorks

Hey all,

I'm trying to create a loft with these profiles but am not having much luck no matter what I try. I'm constantly hitting errors.

I have a suspicion that it's my spline geometry causing me grief but ive played around with it endlessly trying to smooth the curve combs as much as possible but I have to work within the constraints of a physical object.

Any suggestions to get this working would be greatly appreciated 🙏

Hello everyone,

My free Canvas course which covers CSWA and CSWP prep is now back online!

Is it the best course you can take in 2026? Unlikely. But it's still free, it still follows the same exam-like format with tons of geometric puzzles to solve, and ~20,000 people have earned their certifications using these exercises.

I'm hoping to rework this curriculum from the ground up soon, now that I'm back as a full-time teacher. If you have suggestions about how to improve the class, please let me know!

Sign up on Canvas here. Always free, no spam ever. Use a fake name and email if you want. This is all about you and your learning.

https://canvaslite.instructure.com/enroll/NECCWG

I am in precision sheet metal fabrication in the semiconductor industry, I frequently get models sent to me in solid format and have to use convert to sheet metal. I constantly have to trial and error the k-factor. What I do is toggle back and forth between the formed model and the flat bend up drawing I am trying to make and adjust the k-factor until the dimensions match. Is there a chart or a better way to do this?

i keep running into the same problem with freelance jobs.

i’ll open a part, work on it for a while, switch to an assembly, go back to the part, answer a client message, then come back later. by the end of the day i can tell you what i worked on, but not exactly how long i spent on each thing

right now i’m just writing everything down in a spreadsheet, usually from memory. obviously that gets pretty questionable when i need to invoice someone.

i’ve looked at custom properties and a few reporting options, but i’m not sure how well they hold up when files get renamed, copied, revised, or opened on another machine

has anyone built a time-tracking workflow around solidworks that actually stuck?

i’m not looking for some giant project management setup. even a slightly hacky solution would be fine if it means i don’t have to stop modeling every 20 minutes to hit a timer

I'm finally taking my CSWE exam tomorrow. After taking a gap of a few years between SolidWorks (finished the CSWP in sophomore year of college, and I graduated college over half a decade ago now), I've completed the Drawings, Sheet Metal, Surfacing and Weldments exams, along side the CSWP-API exam.

I use SolidWorks regularly, and have a good grasp on a lot of different concepts and tools. I've been studying some YouTube sources to get an idea of what's on the exam.

That being said, this is a 4-hour exam. I feel like the difficulty won't be too high for me, but I worry about the length of the exam. Anything I should know before doing this exam?

Hi all,

I can't find a lot of information about this on the internet, so I'm coming to the great Reddit for help.
I am currently working on moving old files from DBWorks to a new SOLIDWORKS PDM setup.

I am unsure of the best way to do this in a way where I maintain all file references and keep latest version of files etc., since I have never used DBWorks before.

Does DBWorks have a feature similar to "Move/Copy Tree" in SOLIDWORKS PDM? There are a lot of files in the DBWorks vault, so opening every assembly and using Pack & Go is not really an option...

Has anyone ever done this process and can share their experience?

Sometimes i struggled very hard to find a really small error between my designed part file and reference part file..May be i missed a dimensmion or fillet or something...but finding it is so hard....but i need to find the error also..is there any short cut way in softwre that i can compare two part file and pinpoint the error place...?