Page 47 - Mastering SolidWorks

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underStandIng feature-BaSed modelIng 15

Understanding Feature-Based Modeling
Before diving into building models with SolidWorks, you need to be familiar with some termi-
nology. Notice that I talk about modeling rather than drawing or even design. Whether you are
building an assembly line for automotive parts or designing decorative perfume bottles,
SolidWorks can help you visualize your geometrical production data in the most realistic way
possible without actually having it in your hand. This is more akin to making a physical model
in the shop than drawing on paper.
Feature-based modeling means that you build the model by creating 2D sketches and applying
processes (features) to create the 3D shape. For example, you can create a simple box by using the
Extrude process, and you can create a sphere using the Revolve process. However, you can make
a cylinder using either process, by revolving a rectangle or extruding a circle. Figure 1.10 shows
images of simple feature types along with the 2D sketches from which they were created.

Figure 1.10
Simple extruded and
revolved features

Many different feature types in SolidWorks enable you to create everything from the simplest
geometry shown in Figure 1.10 to more complex shapes. In general, when I talk about modeling
in this book, I am talking about solid modeling, although SolidWorks also has a complete
complement of surfacing tools. I discuss the distinction between solid and surface modeling in
Chapter 32, “Working with Surfaces.”
Table 1.2 lists some of the most common features in SolidWorks and classifies them according
to whether they always require a sketch, a sketch is optional, or they never require a sketch. As
an example of a sketch optional feature, a sweep can use a model edge as a sweep path.