Is there a good source for free quality engineered drawings to use for SolidWorks practice developing complex 3D Models?
Looking for good quality engineered drawings to use for practicing with SolidWorks. By good quality, I mean drawings that can be used to actually create a complex 3D model without missing key information.
NOT looking for tutorials! Just good clean drawings like what gets sent to a job shop or Manufacturer.
Accepted answer
100 drawings to practice your CAD skills:
1 Other answer
Yes, there are several sources where you can find free, quality-engineered drawings to use for SolidWorks practice. These resources can help you develop complex 3D models by providing detailed 2D drawings or sketches that you can use as a reference. Here are some of the best options:
Website: [GrabCAD](https://grabcad.com)
- Description: GrabCAD is one of the largest communities for engineers and designers. It offers a vast library of free CAD models, including 2D drawings and 3D models. You can search for specific parts or assemblies and download the associated drawings to practice in SolidWorks.
- Features:
- Free access to thousands of engineering drawings.
- Models and drawings shared by professionals.
- Great for practicing reverse engineering
Website: [TraceParts](https://www.traceparts.com)
- Description: TraceParts is a free online library of 3D models and 2D drawings for engineering and design. It provides detailed technical drawings of standard parts (e.g., fasteners, bearings, etc.) that you can use for practice.
- Features:
- High-quality, standardized parts.
- Easy-to-download files in multiple formats (DWG, STEP, etc.).
- Useful for practicing parametric modeling.
Website: [3D ContentCentral](https://www.3dcontentcentral.com)
- Description: This is a free service provided by Dassault Systèmes (the company behind SolidWorks). It offers a large library of 3D models and 2D drawings contributed by users and manufacturers.
- Features:
- Directly compatible with SolidWorks.
- Includes both standard and custom parts.
- Great for practicing assembly modeling.
- Website: [McMaster-Carr](https://www.mcmaster.com)
- Description: McMaster-Carr is a supplier of hardware and industrial components. While it’s primarily a purchasing site, it also provides free 3D models and 2D drawings of almost every product they sell.
- Features:
- High-quality, detailed drawings.
- Great for practicing real-world parts.
- Files available in SolidWorks-compatible formats.
Website: [Open Engineering Drawings](https://www.opendesigns.org)
- Description: This platform offers free engineering drawings and CAD files for educational purposes. It’s a good resource for practicing complex 3D modeling.
- Features:
- Free and open-source designs.
- Includes mechanical and structural drawings.
- Many SolidWorks tutorial channels on YouTube provide downloadable 2D drawings for practice. Examples include:
- SolidWorks Tutorials by SolidWize
- SolidWorks Fun
- CAD CAM Tutorials
- These channels often include links to downloadable drawings in the video descriptions.
- Some universities and technical schools share free engineering drawings and CAD exercises online. Examples include:
- MIT OpenCourseWare
- CAD Exercises by SDC Publications (free samples available online).
- Communities like r/SolidWorks on Reddit or CAD forums often share free drawings and challenges for practice. You can also request specific types of drawings if needed.
