Complete guide to creating a part in SolidWorks step by step

If you are just starting out with SolidWorks or even if you already use it frequently, you have probably wondered what is the best way to create a piece from scratch within an assembly or how to join multiple parts into a single unit. SolidWorks is a very powerful 3D CAD modeling tool that offers multiple ways to design components, and if you know how to take advantage of each option, you can optimize time and improve design accuracy.

In this article we explain in detail how to create a part in SolidWorks, both independently and within an assembly, and we will also cover the process of create a joined piece from severalWe'll use the official documentation as a foundation, enhancing it with a more practical, clear, and accessible approach, designed so that any user—even without prior experience—can follow the steps and fully understand each concept.

Create a new part in the context of an assembly

SolidWorks allows a very useful feature called "Design in Context". This technique consists of create a part within the environment of an existing assembly, so you can directly reference the geometry of other parts and ensure that new parts fit perfectly with what has already been designed.

Before you begin designing, it's important to configure how you want new parts to be saved. SolidWorks offers two main options:

• Save as external file: The part is saved as a separate file (.SLDPRT) outside of the assembly.
• Save as virtual component: The part is saved within the assembly file, which makes it easier to manage in more integrated projects but can make reuse difficult.

The choice depends on your needs and your usual workflow. If you're collaborating with other users or reusing parts, you'll want to use external files. If it's a closed project, virtual components can give you more agility.

Step by Step: How to Create a New Part from an Assembly

To insert a new part as part of an assembly, simply follow this basic sequence:

1. Open your assembly in SolidWorks.
2. Go to the assembly toolbar and select the option "New piece".
3. Click a reference plane or planar face of an existing component. SolidWorks will automatically open a sketch on that plane.
4. Draw the initial sketch or, if you don't need an immediate sketch, simply close this operation to prepare the part.
5. The part will appear listed in the FeatureManager. You can right-click on it to rename it, which is especially useful for keeping your project organized.

From that moment on, you can start adding operations such as extrusions, cuts or chamfers within the context of the assembly, with the advantage of being able to reference measurements and geometries of other parts to achieve a perfect fit. This is known as external relationships. We recommend that you manage them carefully to avoid excessive dependencies between components, as this can complicate long-term design maintenance.

Save new components in context

As mentioned above, when you create a new part within an assembly, SolidWorks will ask you how you want to save it. Here's a little more detail on the differences:

• External file: Stores like any other part. It's accessible without having to open the entire assembly.
• Virtual component: This is only available within the assembly and doesn't generate a separate file on disk. Ideal for prototyping or when you don't need the part outside of the assembly.

To change this default setting or adjust it at any time, you can go to the Document Properties options, within the SolidWorks settings.

What is SolidWorks: Features, Licenses, and Uses

Joining multiple pieces into one: Creating a joined piece

Another very powerful feature of SolidWorks is the ability to create a single part from several existing partsThis is known as "joined piece" and is useful for consolidating the design, simulate manufacturing processes or simply to simplify assembly.

When to use a joined piece?

This resource is ideal when you have several pieces that will always go together or, in practice, will function as a single unit. Instead of keeping them separate, you can merge them to improve assembly performance and facilitate certain calculations or simulations.

Step by step to join pieces

The procedure is fairly straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. First, create all the pieces that you want to join and save them.
2. Then create an assembly with those pieces and place them as you wishThey can be placed touching, overlapping, or even one inside the other.
3. Save the assembly, but keep it open.
4. Insert a new part into the assembly, as we saw in the previous section.
5. Select a plane or face to place a sketch on. Since this is a joined piece, you don't need to work on the sketch at this point, so you can close it directly.
6. In the FeatureManager, right-click on this new part and use the option "Rename a part" to identify it well.
7. Then activate the tool "Bind" in the PropertyManager. Here, select all the parts you want to merge.
8. Adjust the options according to your needs (solid behavior, combined bodies, etc.)
9. Click OK to create the new joined piece.

From that moment on, you'll have a single piece that represents the full volume of all the originals. You can use this technique to create components such as welded boxes, structures or molded bodies composed of several pieces.

Extra tips for working effectively with parts within assemblies

When working in context within an assembly, it's easy to lose sight of certain aspects that can affect the stability of the design. Here are some recommendations:

• Manage external relations wellThese relationships link one piece to another, and if left unchecked, can cause a modification to lead to unwanted changes.
• Use clear and consistent names for each new part. This will help you identify issues, search for versions, and maintain design traceability.
• Don't overuse virtual piecesThey are useful, but in complex projects they can hinder collaborative work because they are not located as individual files.
• Take advantage of in-context editing to improve the fit between elements and avoid assembly errors.

Post-editing and assembly management

Once you've created multiple parts or assemblies, you can easily edit them again. To do this:

• Right-click the assembly in the FeatureManager design tree or directly in the graphics area.
• Choose «Edit assembly: » or use the option Edit component from the toolbar.

This will allow you to modify individual parts, add more elements, change locations, or update relationships. It's important to remember that any change can affect the whole, so always make backup copies before making major changes.

Mastering the creation of parts in SolidWorks from an assembly, as well as the technique of joining multiple components, will allow you to work more efficiently and reduce design errors. Although it may seem technical at first, with practice it becomes an essential tool in any mechanical or industrial design workflow.

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