Graphics Systems is the Midwest's leader in SolidWorks Training! Our training staff is one of the most tenured and experienced teams in the nation. Our goal is to train our customers to maximize their creativity and productivity, so they can design better products, faster!

Take a look at our upcoming classes. Be sure to check out this month's featured classes from John Setzer, our lead instructor who has been teaching the Midwest SolidWorks for over 12 years!

This is an excellent introduction to SolidWorks, giving the student the skills and knowledge necessary to make full use of SolidWorks' power to model and annotate real products. Taught from the end-user's viewpoint, SolidWorks will come alive as a real-world tool applicable to everyday engineering problems, as opposed to a static computer program. The focus of this course is on designing parts, starting with proper sketching techniques through feature creation and editing to configurations and troubleshooting. Students are also introduced to assemblies and basic drawing sheet creation, although production-level information on these topics is handled in other sessions. A must-have course for anyone using SolidWorks.

Graphics Systems Essentials classes now include the added value of File Management content. File Management teaches users how to manage SolidWorks files. All content covered in our one-day class is now included in this Essentials course.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

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SolidWorks Drawings

Everything you could possibly want to know about making SolidWorks drawings is covered in a comprehensive two-day class. The book for this class is almost as large as the four-day Essentials book! The reason? The back half of the book is an indispensable reference manual that details every single option for every single annotation, dimension, and view type in SolidWorks!

This course concentrates on creating drawings of SolidWorks models. Topics range from setting up templates and sheet formats to laying out drawing views and detailing. Students learn how to create custom drawing templates that utilize custom properties to full advantage. Annotations, BOM, optimization, and eDrawings are just some of the many lessons covered in this comprehensive class.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

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SolidWorks File Management

This course teaches users how to manage SolidWorks files. Details on SolidWorks file structure, file referencing, and file searches are revealed, along with information on opening, saving, and copying files. Students learn how to search for references in SolidWorks files as well as how to manipulate those references. Students also learn about the SolidWorks Explorer and get tips for working in a collaborative environment.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

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SolidWorks Advanced Part Modeling

Advanced Modeling focuses on making freeform-type parts using sweeps, lofts, and blends. You'll go beyond the basics and also learn how to use guide curves, curve paths, and even continuity controls to help you create organic-style geometry in your SolidWorks parts. Bridging, local operations, and other multi-body modeling techniques are also covered.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

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SolidWorks Assemblies

This is the course to take to learn production assembly modeling in SolidWorks. Learn how to troubleshoot assemblies and make your assemblies as efficient as possible. See how SmartMates and assembly configurations can make your life easier as you work with your production assemblies. Advanced techniques like top-down modeling, in-context features, and assembly structure editing are explained in detail as you learn how to make some of the most powerful SolidWorks features work for you.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

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SolidWorks Surfacing

This class teaches users how to build freeform shapes using SolidWorks mechanical design automation software. Topics covered include: introduction to surfacing, solid-surface hybrid modeling, surface modeling, blends and patches, and master model techniques.


This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

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SolidWorks Sheet Metal

If you work with sheet metal parts at all, this class is invaluable! From designing parts to converting imported parts, this class teaches you everything you need to know about sheet metal parts in SolidWorks. Why struggle with the help and just use the tools you happen to stumble across when you can take a one-day class that teaches you everything? I guarantee this will be a day well spent and will pay for itself in the first month afterwards!

This comprehensive course covers all aspects of sheet metal parts in SolidWorks, from creating a base flange to process plans and flat blank drawings. Learn the difference between converting a part to sheet metal and truly designing a sheet metal part. New techniques and features like tabs, edge flanges, and miter flanges make SolidWorks an even better sheet metal design tool than before. Even if you've been trained in earlier versions of SolidWorks sheet metal, taking this one-day course will be well worth your time!

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructor.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

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SolidWorks Weldments

Pre-Reqs:
- SolidWorks Essentials
- SolidWorks Advanced Part Modeling
Daily Schedule: Begin 8:30 a.m., End 4:30 p.m.
Length: 1 Day

Learn how to make weldments in SolidWorks. Topics include the design and modification of weldments, including weldment features such as structural members, end caps, and gussets. Basic detailing and cut list generation is also covered.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

Pre-Reqs:
- SolidWorks Essentials
- SolidWorks Advanced Part Modeling
- SolidWorks Surfacing
Daily Schedule: Begin 8:30 a.m., End 4:30 p.m.
Length: Full Day

This class teaches basic mold making in SolidWorks. Topics include draft analysis, working with imported parts, parting line generation, parting surfaces, shut-offs, and interlocks.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

This class teaches users how to use the Routing module in SolidWorks. Topics include pipes, route points, connection points, elbows, flanges, and reducers. Students learn how to create piping sub-assemblies, as well as how to work with non-standard elbows and pipe connections. Students will learn how to create flexible tube and hose routes. Electrical routes, wiring and cabling are also covered.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

This course teaches students how to create photo-realistic renderings of SolidWorks parts and assemblies using the PhotoWorks add-in software. Students learn how to apply materials, add decals, and work with lighting. Students also learn how to make their own materials and decals and apply them to the PhotoWorks system. This course also teaches techniques for getting the best screen renderings and the best system performance from PhotoWorks while creating elaborate scenes for a variety of outputs.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

This course teaches students how to create animations of SolidWorks parts and assemblies. Students learn basic animation concepts like storyboarding, controlling viewpoint, and setting up path points. They also learn how to make parts appear to move, change part shape, animate explodes, and animate cutaway views.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

This course teaches students how to use three SolidWorks Office components: FeatureWorks, Utilities, and Toolbox. With FeatureWorks, students learn how imported geometry can be recognized and how to map these features to a SolidWorks part. With SolidWorks Utilities, students see how they can compare models, generate reports, and use power tools like feature paint and power select. Students learn how they can use Toolbox to quickly and easily add hardware to their assemblies. They also learn how to add parts to the Toolbox browser, create derived standards, and use the bearing calculator.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

The purpose of the Certified SolidWorks Professional Program is to establish an industry standard by which SolidWorks professionals can be evaluated. This evaluation will be completed using a fair, comprehensive test of your knowledge of SolidWorks and your ability to capture and edit the design intent of a model. Completing the evaluation will accomplish two goals. First, on an individual level achieving certification will establish you as a highly competent professional in the use of SolidWorks. Second, for the hiring managers this will act as a valuable assessment to attest for the individuals competency. Thereby reducing the amount of time and energy typically required to research prospective candidates abilities.

The test will consist of a written exam and a hands-on evaluation period. The written exam will consist of single answer multiple choice, true/false, matching and fill-in the blank questions. There will be approximately 1100 questions. The hands-on evaluation will require you to complete partial models and create new sketches and features. The completion of the models and sketches will require that you apply basic and advanced modeling techniques required to implement proper design intent. This includes the use of equations, design tables, designing in-context and linked values.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

This class teaches students how to use SolidWorks Enterprise PDM. Students learn about the SolidWorks Enterprise PDM interface, how to check in and check out files, how to generate reports, and how to work with revisions. Other topics include using Toolbox with SolidWorks Enterprise PDM and how custom properties interface with SolidWorks Enterprise PDM.

Administrators have an additional half day of training which covers setting up PDM/Works and maintaining and administering the system.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

This course is designed to make SolidWorks users productive more quickly with the SolidWorks Simulation Bundle. It offers a comprehensive hands-on training on the applications of SolidWorks Simulation. This course will provide an in-depth coverage on the basics of Finite Element Analysis, covering the entire analysis process from meshing to evaluation of results for parts and assemblies. The class discusses linear stress analysis, gap/contact analysis, and best practices. All SolidWorks Simulation users wishing to create better designs in SolidWorks by performing analysis and evaluating the behavior of their parts and assemblies under actual service conditions.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

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SolidWorks Simulation Professional

This course is designed to make SolidWorks users productive more quickly with the SolidWorks Simulation analysis package. It offers a comprehensive hands-on training on the applications of SolidWorks Simulation. The training class provides an in-depth coverage on the basics of Finite Element analysis, covering the entire process from meshing to evaluation of results for parts and assemblies. It discusses linear stress analysis, heat transfer analysis, frequency analysis, and stability analysis based on linear buckling concepts. Examples of parts and assemblies including those with various gap/contact conditions are reviewed.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

Designed for users who would like to become productive quickly in using SolidWorks Motion. This 2 day course will teach you how to use the \\SolidWorks SMotion simulation package to study the kinematics and dynamic behavior of your SolidWorks assembly models. The course provides an in-depth session on the basics of building, simulating and refining a mechanical design system, from suspension steering system and drive shafts to backhoes, CAMS, Gears, and Actuators.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

Designed for engineers who are not necessarily specialists in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), SolidWorks Flow Simulation redefines fluid flow analysis with robust capabilities normally found in high-end CFD Programs. This three-day, hands-on training program provides an in-depth session on the basics of turbulent fluid flow analysis, in addition to covering meshing concerns, modeling concerns, analysis, post-processing, available options and preferences.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

Prerequisites:
- SolidWorks Essentials
- SolidWorks Drawings
- Experience with the Visual Basic programming environment.
Daily Schedule: Begin at 8:30 a.m., End at 4:30 p.m., 1 hour lunch
Length: 3 Days

This course introduces students to the SolidWorks Application Programming Interface (API). The course focuses on the fundamental skills and concepts central to building automation tools. Lessons include:
- Macro Recording
- VB Foundations
- Part and Drawing Automation
- Creating Utility Scripts

Users will actually create routines to serve as examples they can take back for their own projects.

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

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3DVIA Composer Essentials

Designed for users who would like to become productive quickly in using 3DVIA. This 3 day course will teach you how to use the 3DVIA Composer package to create 2D and 3D output from CAD design data.

This course will provide the basics of:

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

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3DVIA Composer Advanced Concepts

Designed for users who would like to learn how to use the advanced functions of the 3DVIA Composer software and its associated products to create, share, and distribute content.

This course will provide the basics of:

This course is taught from the official course curriculum from SolidWorks Corporation, with additional information from Graphics Systems instructors.

Or call 800-454-CADD x1100

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About the Instructor

John Setzer has been teaching SolidWorks for over twelve years. As a CSWP, Certified SolidWorks Instructor, and Certified SolidWorks Technician, he has worked with hundreds of customers in a wide array of applications. John is also the only CSWP with a state certification in teaching. John can usually be found in the classroom teaching, putting his BA in Education to good use. When John isn’t teaching people how to use SolidWorks or answering their technical questions, you’ll find him on the tennis court, the golf course, gaming with friends, or spoiling his nieces.