In this article, I’ll show you from beginning to end, how to make the picture below from SOLIDWORKS to SOLIDWORKS Visualize for the final render. This workflow was inspired by some recent questions that we’ve received from our clients. This is step-by-step but will require some familiarity with both software packages.
Making The Cup
We’re going to start the part file with a sketch on the Front Plane. The cup will be above the origin so that I can put the table below it. I plan on making this a multi-body part but can also be done as an assembly.
Since this is a quick project for demonstration purposes, I’ll just quickly sketch the cup’s profile. Notice how I’m placing the profile right above the origin.
I’ll add dimensions so that it is fully defined. This is a good habit to have especially when you have to make changes in the future.
One of the great things about SOLIDWORKS is that you can use the same sketch multiple times. I’m going to throw in the cup’s handle profile as well. I made it with a simple arc, but it could have been a spline. Note that I have the handle’s profile inside the cup instead of just outside of it. This is intentional.
Since the sketch has a closed profile, I’m able to select that for the revolve.
For the handle, we can go back and use the “Cup Sketch.” Make sure “Merge result” is selected so that the handle merges with the cup. We use the Thin Feature Option to make a 3D shape from an extruded arc.
I’ve added a basic fillet to the handle.
Making the Liquid
I then create a plane that will make for the top level of the liquid. Notice how this plane is defined by the distance from the top plane, it needs no other reference.
It’s time to make a sketch on that plane.
Using Intersection Curve, SOLIDWORKS uses the face ID of the cup to determine the shape as it intersects the liquid plane.
Using a Boss-Extrude, we can use the Up To Body direction to fill the cup. Notice we turn “Merge result” off so that it does not become the cup.
I add an orange juice appearance as a placeholder to the liquid volume. You want to make sure that the appearances are unique for Visualize.
Since Instant3D is on, I can quickly make adjustments to the distance of the plane and the volume of liquid in the cup.
As I prepare for Visualize, I make sure the features are labeled. This is to make it easier to go back and make changes especially if this project will be passed to someone else.
I use the Top Plane to make a basic rectangle for the table.
Making The Table
Since this is at the origin, I only have to extrude downward. Notice how I have Merge Result turned on.
The table becomes a part of the cup, that is NOT what we want. We can see the Solid Body count is two (2) when it should be three (3).
It’s a quick fix to go back in the tree to fix this.
Now, the Solid Body count looks good. We name the features because it’s a good habit.
Last, we added a wood material to the table’s body for Visualize. We again want all three materials to be unique, this will make our life easier in the future.
“Export Simple” using the Visualize Add-in will quickly transition from one program to the other.
Moving to SOLIDWORKS Visualize
We see our project in the new program and get to changing the environment using the “File Libraries” tab.
We’re going to change our Environment to the Villa Interior.
In the Environments tab, we turn off the back plate’s visibility and toggle the Flatten Floor checkbox. This is so that the project can reflect the environment correctly.
Let’s adjust the camera to get a good angle, but we see that the handle can’t be seen.
I use the object manipulation tools to rotate the cup so that the handle can be seen.
You want to make sure that your selection color matches. In this case, we want to match blue with blue as the magenta will select ALL of the bodies in the project when we only want the cup to be selected.
From the “File Libraries” Tab we can click and drag our final appearances to the bodies. Notice how this new wood appearance better reflects the outside environment.
For final touches, we change the appearance of the liquid and the cup. I don’t think anyone would mind me using beer instead of coffee…
With that, we can press Ctrl +R for the render. I used the Full HD preset.
And there we have it, the final render! I used the Full HD preset, but you can use what you’d like.
To learn even more about SOLIDWORKS and SOLIDWORKS Visualize, check out our training courses here.
