In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a patterned 3D part in SolidWorks using surface lofts, trimming, thickening, and circular patterns. This exercise is ideal for intermediate users who want to practice working with reference planes, spline curves, and body intersections.
Downloads
👉 Download the SolidWorks Part File (.SLDPRT)
👉 Download STEP File (.STEP)
Skills You Will Practice
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Creating and trimming spline-based sketches
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Building reference planes for advanced sketching
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Lofting surfaces with multiple guide curves
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Thickening and filleting surface models
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Using circular patterns and body intersections
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Base Circle on the Top Plane
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On the Top Plane, draw a circle and trim it to form the base profile.
2. Arc + Spline on the Front Plane
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On the Front Plane, sketch an arc and a spline curve.
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Add a tangent or curvature relation between them for smoothness.
3. Create Reference Plane 1
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Define a Reference Plane using the arc and an endpoint.
4. Arc + Spline on Plane 1
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On Plane 1, sketch another arc and spline curve.
5. Create Reference Plane 2
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Define a second Reference Plane based on the Front Plane and two endpoints.
6. Arc on Plane 2
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On Plane 2, sketch a new arc.
7. Lofted Surface
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Use the Lofted Surface tool.
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Profiles: select the left and right sketches.
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Guide Curves: select the top and bottom arcs.
8. Splines on the Top Plane
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On the Top Plane, draw two spline curves.
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Add tangent relations at both ends to connect smoothly with the edges.
9. Trim Surfaces
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Use Trim Surface to remove the two unwanted purple regions.
10. Thicken the Surface
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Apply Thicken with a value of 2 mm.
11–12. Apply Fillets
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Apply Fillet (radius = 2 mm).
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Repeat on the next set of edges (also radius = 1mm).
13. Create a Reference Axis
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Define an Axis using the Origin and the Top Plane.
14. Circular Pattern
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Use Circular Pattern to copy the solid body.
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Number of instances: 5.
14-1. Remove Extra Bodies
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After the pattern, check for excess parts and remove them.
15. Intersect & Combine Bodies
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Use the Intersect feature.
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Select all solids, then click Intersect.
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Choose the five blue solids and enable Merge Result.
16. Circle on the Top Plane
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On the Top Plane, sketch a circle.
17. Symmetric Extrude
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Use Extruded Boss/Base with Both Directions = 4 mm.
18. Fillet Blue Faces
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Select the blue faces and apply a Fillet (radius = 2 mm).
19. Final Edge Fillets
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Select five edges and apply a Fillet (radius = 2 mm).
Tips
💡 When creating splines, always apply tangent/curvature relations to avoid sharp transitions.
💡 Lofted Surfaces work best with clean profiles and well-defined guide curves.
💡 Use Intersect + Merge Result to unify multiple patterned bodies into a single solid.
Related Exercises
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How to Model a Squatting Chair in SolidWorks (Step-by-Step Tutorial)
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Intermediate Tutorial: Surface Modeling a Stool with Complex Curves
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