Journey to the CSWE-MD

So you've passed the CSWP-MD exam and any 4 of the CSWPAs, and now you're going for the big boss, the real challenge, the Expert!

SolidWorks describes a CSWE as follows:

A CSWE is able to solve practically any modeling problem given to them, and is traditionally the go-to SolidWorks user among their colleagues.

So, I'm not going to say that you have to familiarize yourself with the software since you've already made it this far, but I will say that you need to know the little tricks and loopholes that really differentiate between a regular user and an Expert.

Note that the CSWE exam is just a combination of its 5 prerequisites, where each prerequisite covers one or more topics, each topic is represented by one or more skills, and all these skills are what the exam challenges.

With that being said, let's check each of the 5 prerequisites and see what made it to the CSWE exam and what was taken to the next level:

• The CSWP-MD exam covers Part Modelling/Modification, Configurations & Assemblies.

The CSWE-MD exam includes part modelling and modifications, but here you'll be using all solid modelling features, not only the basics.

Tip #1: A good practice will be going to Insert > Features, then make your way from top to bottom testing each feature and familiarizing yourself with it.

As for modifying models, you'll get more complex models with longer feature trees, so make sure you can navigate them easily.

Tip #2: Try enabling the Rollback Bar and Dynamic Reference Visualization to ease navigating and understanding the model's feature tree.

Finally, you have to be familiar with different modelling techniques, especially Multi-Body modelling and Top-Down modelling.

Next is configurations, and even though you won't deal with any Part Configurations in the CSWE exam, what you will deal with is Assembly Configurations.

As for assemblies, you won't be asked directly to insert components and mate them, but you will be asked to measure some dimensions within the assembly and adding mates will - definitely - come in handy.

You might also be asked to make new parts within an assembly, so make sure you understand how external references work and how they're affected by changes within the assembly.

• The CSWPA-WD exam covers 3D Sketching, Creating Weldment Profiles & Creating/Modifying Weldment Parts.

3D Sketching in the CSWE-MD exam is the same as in the CSWPA-WD exam, if not easier. The drawings you're given are as detailed as always, but you might find some dimensions challenging to add in 3D space (even while using the Tab button).

As for Weldment Profiles, you'll be given them instead of being asked to make them. Make sure you add them to the default life location for profiles and in the correct folder structure, or just set the folder they're in as a Directory Path for profiles.

After that, you'll use the 3D Sketches you made and the Profiles you were given to add Structural Members and make a weldment part just like in the CSWPA-WD exam, but keep in mind that you'll be asked to modify the 3D Sketch's dimensions afterwards.

• The CSWPA-SM exam covers Creating/Modifying a Sheet Metal Part, Converting Solid Parts to Sheet Metal, Modifying Sheet Metal Parameters & Using Forming Tools.

In the CSWE exam, you'll be given a non-native CAD file and be asked to import it and convert it into a sheet metal part, then modify it as usual.

Tip #3: If you're using SW 2017 or above, don't forget to turn off 3D Interconnect before importing the attached file.

Tip #4: Always run Import Diagnostics on the attached file. You might find some faulty faces that need to be healed.

• The CSWPA-DT exam covers 3D Views, Annotations & BOM Tables.

This is by far the simplest topic in the CSWE, and that's because you're only required to make BOM Tables and modify them later on, while all the other skills covered in the CSWPA-DT exam aren't covered in the CSWE.

• The CSWPA-SU exam covers surface modelling and modification.

The CSWE-MD exam doesn't include that much surface modelling, but it does ask you to modify some models and surfacing is usually the fastest, easiest and most sensible approach.

Tip #5: Try finding out the indirect uses of surfacing features. That'll save you some time (even though you already have plenty of it). For example, did you know that making an Offset Surface while setting the Offset Distance to 0 is the fastest way to duplicate a face/surface?

• Sketch Blocks!

For the first time in the entire certification lineup, Sketch Blocks are now part of the exams! Even though no question will ask you directly to make one, you'll have to do so to solve some of the questions.

Note that I didn't mention Mold Making since it's the only CSWPA topic that isn't included in the CSWE exam at all!

Resources

• CSWP & CSWPAs content

As I explained above, the CSWE exam combines the topics covered in its prerequisites. A quick revision on the CSWP & CSWPAs content will help refresh your memory, especially if it's been a while since you've taken your last exam.

You can check out the resources section in each of the previous Journey to the Certs articles, which I've gathered in one link.

• Lucas Crupi's YT Channel

Lucas Crupi has an amazing playlist called Cracking the CSWE on his YouTube channel, SolidWorks Lucas. He explains the main topics the exam covers in a bit of detail, all in only 11 videos!

• MySolidWorks

As the official?Everything SolidWorks?site, it has tons of lessons, learning paths and eCourses. All that's between you and that content is logging in, then you'll be able to check out the?CSWE-MD Exam Prep Course.

Note that you?must?have a?Standard?account to view the previous link, which is only for users on active subscription.

General SolidWorks Exam Tips

Tip #6: Make a new file for each question (Save As?will come in handy).

Tip #7: Take your time to familiarize yourself with the interface, make changes to it if you want and make custom keyboard shortcuts/mouse gestures (click?here?to know how).

Hope you found this series useful!

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