Note: Be sure to select the Sketch icon and not the arrow beneath it – clicking the arrow will provide an option to create a 3D sketch, which we are not using here.īecause this is the first sketch in the new part, the system automatically displays the three default planes in the model, which act as the primary sketching surfaces in the model. Click the down arrow next to the search bar at the top right of the screen, choose Commands, and then type in the name of the command you'd like to use. Remember: You can search for commands in SOLIDWORKS if you do not know where they are. Once the user interface is visible, click the Sketch tab of the CommandManager and select the Sketch icon on the left-hand side. To begin, create a new part and select your desired template. Sketches in SOLIDWORKS are like the foundation of a skyscraper – without them, you couldn’t build one! Well-developed sketches are one of the major keys to creating intelligent and flexible models, and we want to introduce you to several sketching tools/techniques and provide you with the understanding you need to start creating your own.Ī sketch is almost always the first step in designing a new part.