Creating complex surfaces in SOLIDWORKS may seem daunting to novice users, but with the right tools and a good understanding of the basic concepts, it’s possible to create highly elaborate and realistic shapes.
One of the most important and easy-to-use tools for creating complex surfaces in SOLIDWORKS is the tool for creating surfaces of revolution. It allows users to create surfaces by rotating a profile curve around an axis of revolution. This tool is particularly useful for creating cylindrical and conical shapes. If, for example, you need to design a turned woodwork piece, this is the function you’ll use most.
Folding and unfolding surface creation tools also enable users to create complex shapes by folding or unfolding basic surfaces. Tools for creating curved and free-form surfaces can also be used to create complex shapes by modifying the control points of existing surfaces. Constraining a spline on control points is one of the features most frequently used by industrial designers.
Users can also use surface modeling tools to create complex shapes by combining several different surfaces. Surface-merge tools merge two surfaces together to create a single surface, while surface-cut tools remove part of a surface to create a new shape. With a little practice, these “Boolean” tools can be used, for example, to build a cover for an electronic part with great ease.
Surface modeling tools can also be used to create complex shapes using Bézier or NURBS curves. These curves create softer, more natural shapes that can be used to create complex surfaces.
