Best SolidWorks Tutorials for Beginners (2026 Learning Guide)
The best SolidWorks tutorials are the official SolidWorks training and tutorials in the program followed by small projects such as a bracket, a gearbox and a bottle. SolidWorks is a parametric 3D CAD program used in mechanical and product design.
Latest Art Jobs
Fresh listings from the ArtBlast feed. Members see the studio, salary info, and direct apply link.
- 3D Artist🔒 Studio hidden · On-site · Vietnam · TodayUnlock
- 3D Artist🔒 Studio hidden · On-site · Hong Kong · TodayUnlock
- Unreal Engine Motion Designer🔒 Studio hidden · On-site · France · TodayUnlock
- VFX Artist🔒 Studio hidden · On-site · Canada · TodayUnlock
- Senior Graphic Designer🔒 Studio hidden · On-site · United States · TodayUnlock
This guide gives a learning path from first sketch to a drawing-ready part, the free resources and the topics to practice. ArtBlast tracks art jobs, where SolidWorks is rare (9 of 1,060 3D art posts), so it is mainly a skill for product and industrial design.
Learning Path: From Beginner to Confident
| Stage | What to learn | Rough time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Basics | Interface, sketches, relations and dimensions | 1 to 2 weeks |
| 2. Parts | Extrude, revolve, fillet and patterns | 1 month |
| 3. Assemblies | Mates, subassemblies and motion | 1 month |
| 4. Drawings | Views, dimensions and bills of materials | 2 to 3 weeks |
| 5. Projects and certification | A full product, and optional CSWA exam practice | 2 to 4 months |
Times are typical for someone practicing a few hours a week, not a promise.
Free Official Resources for SolidWorks
Start with the maker's own material: it is free, matches the current version and covers every menu.
- SolidWorks site: product information, training and tutorials (the built-in tutorials open from the Help menu).
- SolidWorks training: official training and certification pages.
Topics Every Beginner Should Practice
- Fully defined sketches: avoid rebuild errors.
- Feature tree: order of features matters.
- Mates: assemble parts with the right constraints.
- Drawings: create views and dimensions.
- Configurations: make part variants from one model.
- Certification: the entry-level CSWA is a recognized credential.
How to Choose a Paid Course
- Check the version. Menus and tools change, so pick a course made for a recent release.
- Look for a project. A course that ends with a finished piece teaches more than a list of features.
- Read recent reviews. Ratings from the last year tell you whether the course still works.
- Try a free lesson first. Most platforms let you preview the teaching style before paying.
- Match your goal. A hobby course and a portfolio course are different, so choose the one for what you want to build.
Why SolidWorks Skills Matter for Jobs
SolidWorks is named in 9 of the 1,060 3D art posts ArtBlast tracked from March to August 2026, and in 3 of 10 industrial and mechanical design posts, a sample too small to rely on. ArtBlast covers art and design roles, not engineering, so check engineering job boards for CAD demand.
Related reading: best 3D modeling software for game art and the 3D modeler salary guide. Browse 3D modeler jobs and technical illustrator jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I learn SolidWorks for free?
The built-in tutorials and the official SolidWorks training pages are the best free starting points.
Is SolidWorks hard to learn?
The basics take weeks. Good modeling habits, such as fully defined sketches, take longer.
Is SolidWorks used in game art?
Almost never. Game artists use Maya, Blender, 3ds Max and ZBrush.
Does SolidWorks run on Mac?
SolidWorks is a Windows program, so Mac users often run Windows through virtual machine software.
Is there a free version?
Check the official site for student and trial options, which change over time.
Sources and Price Checks
All prices and versions were checked in November 2026 on the official pages below. Prices change often and sales are frequent, so confirm the figure on the official page before you buy.
- SolidWorks: solidworks.com.
Job data: ArtBlast job tracking, March 13 to August 12 2026, distinct posts (one per employer and title) with a full description. 3D cohort: 1,060 distinct posts and 699 employers. Using these figures? Please cite ArtBlast and link to this page.