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Files in this course were created with SolidWorks 2020.
At this time, I cannot provide complete files in an older version.
Buy a mouse!
- A mouse with three buttons (left, right, and clickable scroll wheel) is essential for the proper operation of SolidWorks. I like this one which is inexpensive and reliable.
Install SolidWorks
- For students:
- See if your college or school offers the SolidWorks Student edition. It is superior to the 3DExperience For Makers SolidWorks in that it comes with many more features and does not require the awkward and sometimes unreliable 3dExperience for Makers licensing system.
- If your school does not provide the Student edition of SolidWorks, you can buy it for $60/year directly from SolidWorks here. This is not the 3DExperience version, it is the Student Edition.
- Alternatively, you can buy the 3dExperience for Students SolidWorks here for $60/year [Broken link]
- [SolidWork now (as of fall 2026) allows free downloads of SolidWorks Design Standard, the desktop SolidWorks.]
- If you are not a student in the traditional sense, you may purchase the Student Edition (NOT the 3DExperience version – the better Student edition) through Titans of CNC here. [Broken link]
What is 3DExperience SolidWorks vs. Desktop Solidworks?
There is no difference in performance or basic functionality between any of the versions of 3DExperience SolidWorks and any other version of Desktop SolidWorks once the program is open.
The only thing cloud-based about 3DExperience SolidWorks is in how the program is licensed and managed, and the fact that the files are stored on the cloud by default. The program itself is still fully local.
If you are able to open the 3DExperience SolidWorks, it will perform identically to any other version of SolidWorks on your computer.
So, no worries if you already have the 3Dexperience SolidWorks for Makers. But the Student edition through Titans of CNC is preferable for a number of good reasons. [Broken link]
Options for Mac users (Intel only):
- Intel-based MacOS Computers:
- MacOS computers can run a Boot Camp partition or Parallels Desktop virtual machine with an appropriate Windows 10 installation and SolidWorks Student edition. This works well, requires some setup work. If you are not comfortable repartitioning your main MacOS hard drive, you can install Windows 10 on a portable USB or Thunderbolt external SSD, which will give optimal performance without requiring any permanent modifications to your computer.
- You do not have to purchase Windows 10. You can use it legally without activation, you will just not have access to all features (changing desktop background for example, nothing impacting your ability to use SW). https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 [Note: As of SolidWorks 2026, Windows 10 is no longer supported; Windows 11 is still an option with a similar process.]
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