SOLIDWORKS TutorialsLearn how to create cinematic volumetric lighting effects in SOLIDWORKS Visualize with the new 2026 FD02 volumetrics update. In this step-by-step tutorial, Jesse walks through his complete workflow for building high-impact renderings with atmospheric lighting, realistic light rays, fog, depth, and dramatic scene illumination.
Discover how volumetric rendering can instantly improve the realism and visual storytelling of your product renders with surprisingly little setup. Whether you're creating subtle atmospheric depth or bold cinematic effects, these new tools help you produce more professional-looking visuals faster.
In this video, you'll learn:
• How to use the new volumetrics feature in SOLIDWORKS Visualize 2026 FD02
• Techniques for creating realistic atmospheric lighting and fog
• How to achieve cinematic light rays and depth effects
• Rendering tips for more dramatic product visualization
• Workflow strategies for faster, more realistic renderings
Perfect for CAD designers, industrial designers, product visualization artists, marketing teams, and anyone looking to create photorealistic renders using SOLIDWORKS Visualize.
SOLIDWORKS Visualize Volumetric Rendering Tutorial | Cinematic Lighting in 2026 FD02SOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-05-21 | Learn how to create cinematic volumetric lighting effects in SOLIDWORKS Visualize with the new 2026 FD02 volumetrics update. In this step-by-step tutorial, Jesse walks through his complete workflow for building high-impact renderings with atmospheric lighting, realistic light rays, fog, depth, and dramatic scene illumination.
Discover how volumetric rendering can instantly improve the realism and visual storytelling of your product renders with surprisingly little setup. Whether you're creating subtle atmospheric depth or bold cinematic effects, these new tools help you produce more professional-looking visuals faster.
In this video, you'll learn:
• How to use the new volumetrics feature in SOLIDWORKS Visualize 2026 FD02
• Techniques for creating realistic atmospheric lighting and fog
• How to achieve cinematic light rays and depth effects
• Rendering tips for more dramatic product visualization
• Workflow strategies for faster, more realistic renderings
Perfect for CAD designers, industrial designers, product visualization artists, marketing teams, and anyone looking to create photorealistic renders using SOLIDWORKS Visualize.
The SOLIDWORKS Gear Mate helps create realistic rotational relationships between gears—but getting the setup right takes more than simply selecting two components.
Go behind the scenes of the SLUGASAURUS REX project and see how SOLIDWORKS helped turn an ambitious idea into a massive real-world creation.
From 3D CAD and design iteration to fabrication, assembly, and the final build, the How We Built a Giant Dinosaur series follows the entire engineering journey from concept to completion.
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792/bStop Over-Constraining Your SOLIDWORKS Assemblies! #ShortsSOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-09-08 | Trying to create controlled sliding motion in a SOLIDWORKS assembly? The Slot Mate can help components move naturally along a defined path, without introducing unnecessary assembly constraints.
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X: https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792Slot MateSOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-09-01 | Learn how to use the SOLIDWORKS Slot Mate to create realistic motion for adjustable FIRST Robotics mechanisms such as chain tensioners, intakes, and expandable hoppers. In this quick tutorial, you'll see how to set up Slot Mates, choose the right constraint options, and ensure your assemblies move just like the real robot for more accurate designs.
Learn how to create clear, effective exploded views in SOLIDWORKS to show how assembly components fit together, improve design communication, and make complex assemblies easier to understand.
Watch the full Advanced Assembly Modeling Part 6 tutorial for a deeper look at creating and working with exploded views in SOLIDWORKS:
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X: https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792Advanced Assembly Modeling Part 6: Exploded ViewsSOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-08-24 | Exploded views in SOLIDWORKS Design are a powerful way to better communicate assembly structure and design intent in engineering drawings. They are especially valuable in FRC workflows for documenting mechanisms, integrating supplier CAD, and helping team members quickly understand how assemblies fit together. Whether you're a student creating your first assembly drawings or a mentor refining your team's workflow, these techniques help turn complex robot assemblies into clear, actionable documentation for FIRST Robotics Competition teams.
If your FIRST® Robotics team is ready to level up, get free SOLIDWORKS Design software, training, and resources to power your team’s success, and equip your team with professional tools, used by real engineers. Visit - solidworks.com/learn/frc.
SOLIDWORKS Configurations let you create and manage multiple assembly variations within a single model—making it easier to explore design changes, switch between different versions, and keep your project organized.
In Part 5 of our Advanced Assembly Modeling series, see how configurations can simplify your workflow and help you manage complex SOLIDWORKS assemblies more efficiently.
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X: https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792Advanced Assembly Modeling Part 5: Display StatesSOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-08-17 | SOLIDWORKS Display States help FRC teams simplify complex assemblies, communicate design intent, and create cleaner workflows throughout the build season. These techniques make it easier to review mechanisms and focus on specific areas during robot integration. You'll also see how display states support faster iteration, clearer assembly organization, and more effective drawing creation for students and mentors collaborating on a robot design.
If your FIRST® Robotics team is ready to level up, get free SOLIDWORKS Design software, training, and resources to power your team’s success, and equip your team with professional tools, used by real engineers. Visit - solidworks.com/learn/frc.
In Part 4 of our Advanced Assembly Modeling series, learn techniques for creating and managing assembly variations more efficiently—helping you save time as your designs become more complex.
Learn how smarter assembly modeling workflows can make it easier to reuse existing design work, create variations, and manage increasingly complex assemblies in SOLIDWORKS.
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X: https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792Advanced Assembly Modeling Part 4: ConfigurationsSOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-08-10 | SOLIDWORKS Design assembly configurations help FRC teams quickly evaluate different mechanism positions, validate design intent, and create more effective drawing views. In this video, you'll learn how to create and manage assembly configurations by suppressing mates and defining alternate assembly positions. Whether you're working with elevators, supplier CAD, or full robot assemblies, configurations can help your team iterate faster and stay organized throughout build season.
If your FIRST® Robotics team is ready to level up, get free SOLIDWORKS Design software, training, and resources to power your team’s success, and equip your team with professional tools, used by real engineers. Visit - solidworks.com/learn/frc.
SpeedPak is one of the easiest ways to simplify detailed subassemblies while keeping the geometry you need for mates, dimensions, and measurements. It's perfect for purchased components, downloaded models, and complex equipment that doesn't need to be edited at the top level.
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X: https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792Using SpeedPak with Large AssembliesSOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-08-07 | Explore SpeedPak configurations and how they can dramatically improve assembly performance while still allowing access to critical geometry for mates, measurements, and references.
In our example, SpeedPak reduced assembly open times by more than 50%, lowered graphics triangle counts by nearly 40%, and significantly reduced the number of resolved components.
#SOLIDWORKS #SOLIDWORKSTutorial #SOLIDWORKSTipsandTricks #SpeedPak #LargeAssemblies #AssemblyPerformance #CADTips3D Tic Tac Toe GameSOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-08-06 | Design a Tic Tac Toe board with SOLIDWORKS Apps for Kids and play a game in pairs to improve kids' spatial awareness. Check out more video tutorials on swappsforkids.com/videos
In Part 3 of our Advanced Assembly Modeling series, we explore flexible assemblies and how they can help you create more realistic, dynamic assembly behavior in SOLIDWORKS.
This quick preview gives you a taste of what’s covered — then jump into the complete tutorial to see the full workflow step by step.
▶️ Watch the full Advanced Assembly Modeling Part 3 tutorial using the related video linked to this Short: youtu.be/oxhkiUWVPSk
Learn more SOLIDWORKS assembly techniques, advanced modeling workflows, mates, component movement, and best practices right here on SOLIDWORKS Tutorials.
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X: https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792Advanced Assembly Modeling Part 3: Flexible SubassembliesSOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-08-03 | Learn how to use SOLIDWORKS Flexible Subassemblies to accurately simulate motion within complex assemblies. In this video, you'll see how making a subassembly flexible allows moving components to behave correctly at the top-level, helping you validate design intent and mechanism movement. This workflow is especially useful when integrating mechanisms, supplier CAD, and larger robot assemblies during the FRC build season. By understanding how to use flexible subassemblies, teams can iterate faster, maintain cleaner assemblies, and improve confidence in their overall robot integration. If your FIRST® Robotics team is ready to level up, get free SOLIDWORKS Design software, training, and resources to power your team’s success, and equip your team with professional tools, used by real engineers. Visit - solidworks.com/learn/frc.
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X: https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792Leveraging Library PartsSOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-07-31 | Tired of wasting time remodeling the same components over and over? It’s time to work smarter, not harder! In this lesson, we will show you how to unlock the full power of the SOLIDWORKS Design Library. Learn how to seamlessly store, organize, and drag-and-drop your most frequently used parts and assemblies directly into other assemblies. Explore additional learning by visiting solidworks.com/learn/physical_dynamics.
In Part 2 of our Advanced Assembly Modeling series, you'll learn the techniques experienced SOLIDWORKS users rely on to build cleaner, more flexible, and easier-to-maintain assemblies. Discover best practices for organizing complex designs, creating functional subassemblies, and preparing your models for real-world engineering workflows.
Whether you're looking to improve your SOLIDWORKS skills or build more robust mechanical assemblies, this tutorial will help you take your CAD workflow to the next level.
In this SOLIDWORKS Short, discover one of the biggest mindset shifts that can simplify complex assemblies using smarter modeling techniques and reference geometry.
Watch the full tutorial to learn advanced assembly modeling workflows, best practices, and techniques for building robust, scalable CAD assemblies: youtu.be/K06LKPpIhe4
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X: https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792Advanced Assembly Modeling Part 2: Form New SubassemblySOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-07-27 | In this video, you'll see how grouping related components into reusable subassemblies can simplify top-level assemblies, reduce clutter, and support faster design iteration throughout the FRC build season. Whether you're organizing mechanisms, integrating supplier CAD, or refining a full robot assembly, these techniques will help students and mentors build cleaner, more efficient CAD models with confidence. If your FIRST® Robotics team is ready to level up, get free SOLIDWORKS Design software, training, and resources to power your team’s success, and equip your team with professional tools, used by real engineers. Visit - solidworks.com/learn/frc.
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X: https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792Advanced Assembly Modeling Part 1: Reference GeometrySOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-07-21 | SOLIDWORKS assembly modeling techniques can help FRC teams build robust, easy-to-manage robot assemblies. In this video, you'll learn how to use design intent, origins, and default planes to efficiently assemble complex mechanisms while maintaining proper motion and alignment. These workflows make it easier to integrate supplier CAD, manage subassemblies, and iterate quickly during the fast pace of build season. Whether you're a student or mentor, these techniques will help you create more reliable assemblies and spend less time fixing CAD issues.
If your FIRST® Robotics team is ready to level up, get free SOLIDWORKS Design software, training, and resources to power your team’s success, and equip your team with professional tools, used by real engineers. Visit - solidworks.com/learn/frc.
With SOLIDWORKS Simulation, you can analyze stress, deformation, and performance in just seconds—helping you catch problems early and make better engineering decisions with confidence.
Whether you're designing products, machine components, or assemblies, simulation lets you validate your ideas before they become expensive mistakes.
Watch the full tutorial below to learn how to get started with SOLIDWORKS Simulation: youtu.be/14MkxdDyzn8
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X: https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792Introduction to SimulationSOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-07-14 | Learn how to validate your designs before manufacturing with SOLIDWORKS SimulationXpress. In this tutorial, you'll perform a basic stress analysis, apply loads and fixtures, compare aluminum and steel bracket designs, and evaluate results using stress, displacement, and factor of safety plots.
With **SOLIDWORKS In-Context Editing**, you can modify parts directly inside the assembly—making design changes faster and keeping your workflow moving.
If you work with assemblies, this is one of the biggest time-saving features in SOLIDWORKS.
In this SOLIDWORKS tutorial, learn how to group components into folders to create a cleaner FeatureManager Design Tree, improve navigation, and make complex assemblies easier to manage.
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X: https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792In-Context EditingSOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-07-06 | Learn how to use in-context editing in SOLIDWORKS Design to create intelligent, assembly-driven models that automatically adapt as designs change. In this video, we’ll fix assembly interference, align motor mounting holes, and use assembly references to create parametric relationships between components — all without rebuilding parts individually. Perfect for students, robotics teams, and engineers looking to improve assembly workflows and design efficiency. Explore additional methods for designing with SOLIDWORKS by visiting solidworks.com/learn/frc.
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792/bBasic Assembly Modeling Part 3: FoldersSOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-06-29 | SOLIDWORKS Design assembly modeling techniques help FRC teams build robust assemblies with clean design intent and faster workflows. In Part 3 of Basic Assembly Modeling, we complete the main structure for a 2-stage cascade elevator while focusing on mate strategies that reflect real-world assembly behavior and simplify future changes. These techniques help FRC teams iterate faster, work efficiently with supplier CAD, and keep robot interation moving smoothly during build season. If your FIRST® Robotics team is ready to level up, get free SOLIDWORKS Design software, training, and resources to power your team’s success, and equip your team with professional tools, used by real engineers. Visit - solidworks.com/learn/frc.
This tutorial series follows complete engineering projects from concept to finished design, teaching practical SOLIDWORKS skills that students, makers, hobbyists, educators, and professional engineers can apply immediately.
You'll learn how to: ✅ Create robust 3D CAD models ✅ Build assemblies that actually work ✅ Organize complex projects ✅ Improve your engineering workflow ✅ Apply professional design practices ✅ Design with manufacturing in mind
This new tutorial series follows the complete engineering process behind a complex mechanical project, teaching practical SOLIDWORKS techniques that you can apply to your own designs, whether you're a student, maker, hobbyist, educator, or professional engineer.
Along the way, you'll learn how to: • Build robust 3D CAD models • Create efficient assemblies • Organize large design projects • Improve your engineering workflow • Apply professional design best practices • Design with manufacturing and performance in mind
Rather than isolated software tips, these lessons show how experienced engineers approach real design challenges from concept through completion.
Whether you're just getting started with SOLIDWORKS or looking to sharpen your CAD skills, this series is designed to help you become a faster, more confident designer.
Assembly mates are one of the most important skills every CAD designer should learn. They control how parts move, align, rotate, and connect—turning a collection of components into a functional design.
Watch the full tutorial below to learn how assembly mates work in SOLIDWORKS and start building smarter assemblies.
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X: https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792Basic Assembly Modeling Part 2: MatesSOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-06-22 | SOLIDWORKS Design assembly modeling techniques can dramatically speed up FRC robot development and reduce time spent fixing assembly issues. In Part 2 of this Basic Assembly Modeling series, you'll learn practical methods for placing and constraining components using pre-selected mates, the Mate dialog, and efficient workflows that keep assemblies organized and easy to update. These techniques help teams iterate faster, maintain clean design intent, and confidently integrate mechanisms, supplier CAD, and larger robot assemblies during the pressure of build season. Whether you're a student or mentor building your CAD skills, these assembly fundamentals can help your team spend less time troubleshooting and more time designing.
If your FIRST® Robotics team is ready to level up, get free SOLIDWORKS Design software, training, and resources to power your team’s success, and equip your team with professional tools, used by real engineers. Visit - solidworks.com/learn/frc.
The real challenge is defining how those parts relate to one another through mates, alignment, and design intent. Once you understand that, your assemblies become easier to build, modify, and troubleshoot.
Watch the full tutorial in the Related Video to learn the fundamentals of assembly modeling in SOLIDWORKS: youtu.be/P2M8AkOhvE0
Follow us! Instagram: instagram.com/solidworks Facebook: facebook.com/solidworks X: https://x.com/solidworks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/5003792Basic Assembly Modeling Part 1: Design IntentSOLIDWORKS Tutorials2026-06-15 | SOLIDWORKS Design assembly modeling concepts such as design intent, assembly planning and organization are essential for building efficient and reliable FRC CAD assemblies. In this first part of the Basic Assembly Modeling series, you'll learn how planning your assembly structure, choosing the right first component, and selecting mates that reflect real-world function can create models that are easier to build and update. These foundational techniques help teams iterate faster, maintain clean design intent, and keep mechanisms, supplier CAD, and larger robot integrations manageable during build season. Whether you're a mentor or student growing your CAD skills, a few smart decisions early in the design process can save your team significant time later.
If your FIRST® Robotics team is ready to level up, get free SOLIDWORKS Design software, training, and resources to power your team’s success, and equip your team with professional tools, used by real engineers. Visit - solidworks.com/learn/frc.