What’s the SolidWorks workflow that took you the longest to unlearn from another CAD tool? Might not be applicable to all. I, for one, learned SolidWorks first and never spent more than a few hours in other CAD tools since Building content for intermediate users and want to know where the friction actually is, not where I assume it is. Drop your answer below.

Drippy on Discord (unsure if they are here in Skool) asked me: "Hi Chris Can you help me with this blueprint? I don't know where to start, what strategies should I do. if you can send a tutorial guide for this part my pleasure to learn from you chris" How could I say no?! I livestreamed the answer, working through the process of planning and identifying the model details. The full walkthru is 90 minutes long! Let me know if you followed along. Files attached for reference.

If you're working toward a SolidWorks certification, or thinking about it, this is where to start. 🔹Five lessons covering the full path from CSWA through to CSWE. 🔹What each certification actually tests. 🔹How to prepare for the CSWA without spending time on the wrong things. 🔹And what reaching expert level looks like from the inside. I've also recorded a new lesson for this classroom that covers the CSWA exam format, the one document setup step most people miss, and the approach that makes follow-up questions a direct edit rather than a hunt through your feature tree. This one isn't on YouTube. It's here only. Head to the Classrooms tab and look for The Certification Path. One more thing: if you're already past CSWA and working toward CSWP, I'm planning a dedicated course. Join the waitlist if you're interested. Working toward CSWA right now? Drop a comment; I’m happy to answer questions as you go through it.

Hey, I'm Chris — product design engineer with 15+ years in industry, CSWE, and the person behind Fully Defined. This community exists for one reason: to help you get genuinely good at SolidWorks, from a designer's perspective. Not a textbook perspective, not a mechanical engineering perspective — a product designer's perspective. There's a difference, and it matters. Here's what you'll find here: 📚 Courses — structured learning, starting from zero 💬 Community — ask questions, share your work, get unstuck 🎥 Content — videos, livestreams, and resources that go beyond the YouTube channel Where to start There are two ways in, depending on how you like to learn: 1. Learn by doing — start with the LEGO CAD Library. You'll build real parts from day one, develop parametric thinking naturally, and not even realise how much you're picking up. No pressure, just progress. 2. Learn by structure — start with SolidWorks for Designers, available here in Skool. It's a linear path from the SolidWorks interface through to CSWA exam preparation, built around a single project that accumulates across every section. Either way, both paths lead to the same place — confident, capable SolidWorks skills from a designer's perspective. A third step is in the works. I'll let you know when it's ready. A few things worth knowing: > Ask anything. If you're stuck, post it. The only bad question is the one you didn't ask because you thought it was too simple. > Share your work. Models, sketches, screenshots — even the messy ones. That's how you get useful feedback. > This is a practitioner's community. Come here to improve, and you will. Drop a comment below and introduce yourself — where you're at with SolidWorks, what you're working on, or what brought you here. I read every one. — Chris

Imagine having CSWE and driving the sports car you designed yourself, Let's begin!