Selecting the best sketch profile

To create 3D solids, Solidworks first draws a 2D profile of that solid

This 2D sketch is then “extruded” or stretched out into a 3D solid having the same cross-section as the sketch

A new sketch can be drawn onto any existing flat surface, face or plane

This in turn can be extruded into a 3D solid. This process can be repeated as many times as is necessary to complete the solid.

HOWEVER!… To try to incorporate “Best Practice”, the sketch which is created should produce as much of the required solid as possible when it is extruded. It is important to avoid creating additional work for yourself.

For example, let’s look at two ways of producing the 3D solid shown below.

Option 1 Sketch a rectangle and extrude it to form the base as shown

Sketch a second rectangle onto the top of this base and extrude it into the upright part of the solid.

The solid required has been created using two sketches and 2 extrusions and is of the exact shape and size required…. …but there is a much more efficient way of creating the part…

Option 2 Sketch this profile as the base profile to extrude. THE RELULTS……

The required solid has been created in a single extrusion and thus, more efficiently. There will be plenty more examples as the tutorial progresses

SUMMARY Always consider which sketch profile to use BEFORE drawing begins Why work with two or three extrusions and sketches when one will do? Always think about how the software can be used to reduce the workload on yourself