IronCAD vs Solidworks Assembly Lesson 23 Lesson 4


Using shapes eliminates the need to create a sketch and extrude or revolve. If you created each feature individually it is easier to modify directly. Imagine a complex part. Give this concept a try today.


Design of Water Control Valve in Solidworks

IronCAD vs Solidworks

While creating 3D models from drawing is the very best way to learn 3D CAD and maybe some design techniques is does not expose the designer to the design flexibility necessary in product design. IronCAD is all top down due to the single model environment. Creating mating parts is a cruise. But modeling is just one aspect of this well designed productive 3D CAD system.

I like to show step by step lessons So you can see the commands being used.

We are going to create this part from another part. So we only show the mating part.

We are going to use the “Extrude Wizard”. This will create a sketching plane and we can set the extrusion depth with the command. Remember the sketch is an integrated in the feature.

We just project the edged of the flange by selecting the face. No sketching or constraining.

We select okay and we have our new part.

We hide the mating part and add chamfer by windowing the part.

We created a configuration of this part. Configurations are the way we control our parts and sub-assemblies for presentations and documentation.

We are done with the part.


It is very important that you look into how you or your engineers are creating the parts. Streamline Sketching and Feature Based Modeling is easy to learn and implement. It, alone, will increase productivity 10X. Now, IronCAD with its unique integrated history/direct edit functionality can increase your productivity another 5X or more with changes! Again, time is money in engineering.

More on Streamline Sketching and Feature Based Modeling.


Give me a call if you have any questions. I can set up a skype or gotomeeting to show this part or answer any of your questions on the operation of IronCAD. It truly is the very best conceptual 3D CAD system.


If you are interested in adding professional hybrid modeling capabilities or looking for a new solution to increase your productivity, take some time to download a fully functional 30 day evaluation and play with these packages. Feel free to give me a call if you have any questions or would like an on-line presentation.