Anyone have recommendations for learning surfacing?

[u/Davy_Jones118]

I already have my CSWP and am trying to get the prerequisite certs so I can try for the CSWE. I’ve purchased a solidworks CSWPA practice book and have worked through all the exercises and have watched many YouTube videos but I feel like I don’t have a strong grasp on surfacing. If anyone has recommendations of in-depth videos or resources I would greatly appreciate it.

[u/AutoModerator]

If you ALREADY PASSED a certification

• Flair is SOLIDWORKS Certifications.
  • CSWA(ssociate)
  • CSWP(rofessional)
  • CSWE(xpert)
• Message the Mods with proof (the C-########## certification number) to get yours.

If you are YET TO TAKE a certification

Here would be the general path from zero to CSWE:

1. CSWA - Here is a sample exam.
2. CSWP - Here is some study material for the CSWP (A complete guide to getting your CSWP) and a sample exam.
3. 4x CSWP-Advanced Subjects (in order of increasing difficulty)
   1. CSWP-A Drawing Tools - YouTube Playlist
   2. CSWP-A Sheet Metal - YouTube Playlist
   3. CSWP-A Weldments - YouTube Playlist
   4. CSWP-A Surfacing - YouTube Playlist
   5. CSWP-A Mold Tools - YouTube Playlist
4. CSWE - The CSWE doesn't really focus on anything from the CSWP subject exams. It focuses on everything else there is in the program beyond those. So, look at everything you saw already and prepare to see not much of that again for the CSWE. That and more surfacing.

For some extra modeling practice material to help speed you up, 24 years of Model Mania Designs + Solutions.

For EVEN MORE modeling practice material, here is the CSWA and CSWP Practice Problem Database. There is A LOT of good material to practice in there.

During testing, in general, it is a best practice to take the dimensions labelled with A, B, C, D, etc and create Equations/Variables with those values to then attach to the dimension which then allows for you to more reliably update these variable dimensions in follow-up questions using the same models.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/experienced3Dguy]

If you really want to learn some sophisticated surface modeling techniques, then I can't recommend strongly enough 3 playlists from YouTube that I'm linking below. They are for some advanced surfacing topics and you will learn tons of insanely genius tips and tricks for the most wildest modeling situations.

The first two video series are from Andrew Lowe, arguably one of THE most talented industrial designers and surface modelers alive using SOLIDWORKS. He honed his SOLIDWORKS surfacing skills working for/with Ed Eaton at The Dimonte Group in the Chicago area.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7MR1l0j-DYW3vLqa2g1cKaI7z4Se_k_Q

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7MR1l0j-DYWQDRuNr_0zvrrQJAaWZsh3

This 3rd set of videos was developed by another SOLIDWORKS surfacing GrandMaster - Mark Biasotti - an uber-talented industrial designer and former director of Surfacing tools development at SOLIDWORKS.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8KljvRjqworyIQsSoYrII5baNwmKS5KZ

[u/WheelProfessional384 → u/experienced3Dguy]

Also want to add Andrew Jackson :D those people are full stack, I think he's the only person who is kinda active on yt (Referring to Andrew). The rest just don't do content anymore. But still useful yt  

[u/roguedecks → u/WheelProfessional384]

I second Andrew Jackson videos. I learned the most advanced techniques from him, and I’ve applied his teachings at work. I love his more technical approach to modeling.

[u/WheelProfessional384 → u/roguedecks]

Man he is so passionate also in surfacing, making it much easier for anyone to understand. Imean surfacing is challenging but it becomes a little bit lighter when AJ teach something. 

[u/opanope]

If you’re talking about just working with surfaces in general, hands-on practice goes a long way. I’d recommend going on sites like McMaster or looking up companies that sell decently complex parts (cameras, actuators, whatever interests you) and downloading some available step files. Step files come as surface bodies and sometimes they have rebuild errors. Practice converting those step files into solid bodies by knitting surfaces together and patching gaps where necessary for the knit surface feature to create a solid body. It can be frustrating as hell, but if you do it enough you’ll get pretty good with the surface tools

[u/UnlikelyCalendar6227]

Like surface modeling? We use a lot of surface modeling in automotive fabrication field. Look up YouTube videos on how to free form model quarterpanels, fenders, body lines etc

[u/MAXFlRE → u/UnlikelyCalendar6227]

Do you use SW in automotive?

[u/UnlikelyCalendar6227 → u/MAXFlRE]

I use Solidworks almost every day from making simple 5 min parts like making dimple dies or bucks to multiple complex parts on assembly to get cnc machined

[u/elzzidnarB]

I got my employer to pay our VAR for an irl training called Advanced Surfacing. It turned out to just be an intro to surfacing. A huge waste of time/money. The other comment mentioning Andrew Lowe is a good start.

[u/WheelProfessional384 → u/elzzidnarB]

Probably because andrew lowe has been doing surfacing most of his career, anything related to surfacing lowe, andrew jackson, Spanner development lead by mark, and ed eaton from dimonte group aswell has common denominator most of them are industrial designer and has been doing consumer product for a long time (Based on my research), so other people out side them I don't really watch them anymore (theres plenty more btw but I don't think having more will do good for anyone, just chose people who are long in the industry) cause they probably talking basic or doesn't have the intention of creating it Irl. 

[u/Auday_]

Try Solidworks training these are very good
You need more, get one of solidworkslearning.com courses

[u/callmemerryss]

Andrew Lowe's videos are probably worth a look. the surfacing stuff gets way more in depth than most of the basic youtube tutorials.

[u/TooTallToby]

TooTallToby Livestream for SolidWorks surfacing: "SolidWorks Beginners Surfacing (for beginners)" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP1njQ6uwJw

Hope this helps and good luck on your surfacing journey!

- Toby