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Course

SolidWorks for 3D printing

MAE-40043

Learn the basics of Additive Manufacturing with SolidWorks - CSWA-AM Exam Included

Adopted in the world of Additive Manufacturing, 3D Printing helps increase flexibility in the production flow and reduces industrial expenses while enabling faster innovation and mechanization. SolidWorks, one of the first 3D modeling solutions in the market, allows Engineers to transform their models into a 3D model that can be printed in 3D.

SolidWorks for 3D printing shows participants the process involved in creating a physical object from an abstract concept. Through projects, students will practice the skills to transform an idea into a design and then convert it into a physical, 3-dimensional, prototype of the product. Also, students will have the opportunity to prepare for the SolidWorks Certified Additive Manufacturing exam – CSWA – Additive Manufacturing.

This course offers practical knowledge and will benefit shop floor personnel, decision making management, or anyone interested in learning more about this field.

 

Course Highlights

  • Introduction to Additive Manufacturing
  • Machine Types
  • 3d Printing Materials
  • Surface, Solid and Mesh Model Preparation
  • File Export and import Settings
  • 3D Scan to 3D Print - Point clouds to mesh model creation
  • Machine Preparation
  • 3D Printing the Part
  • Post Printing      
  • Part Finishing - Plastics vs metals
  • Software to support the 3d printing process
 

Course Benefits

  • Earn the CSWA-AM certification — exam included ($100 value)
  • Gain experience in creating 3D printable models
  • Learn the fundamentals of operating SolidWorks and supporting the 3D printing workflow

Course Format and Schedule

  • Format: Online
    • Delivered asynchronously with access to course materials anytime during the published course dates
    • Flexibility within structured timelines
    • Interactive learning environments using Canvas LMS
    • Instructor support and feedback
    • Access to all course materials online
  • Typically Offered: Winter and Summer quarters

Tools and Technology

  • Hardware: Laptop or PC windows computer with 16 GB RAM and Nvidia or similar graphics card for gaming or CAD

Prerequisites

Working knowledge of SolidWorks is not required. 

Notes

  • 🎓 CSWA-AM Certification — Included in Your Enrollment
  • ✅ First exam attempt included ($100 value)
  • ✅ Earn an electronic certificate upon passing
  • ✅ Get a personal listing in the CSWA Academic Directory
  • ⚠️ Retake fee: $100 (if a second attempt is needed)

Next steps

Upon completion of this class, consider enrolling in other courses in the Mechanical Analysis and Design Certificate.

Questions?

Contact unexengr@ucsd.edu to learn more about Mechanical Analysis and Design course offerings.

Course Information

Online
3.00 units
$825.00

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Academic Calendar

This course applies to these programs

Mechanical Analysis and Design

Course sessions

Closed

Section ID:

198960

Class type:

Online Asynchronous.

This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.

Textbooks:

All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.

Policies:

  • No refunds after: 6/29/2026

Schedule:

No information available at this time.
Closed

Instructor: Braxton Carter

Braxton Carter

Carter Braxton brings more than 25 years of experience in the reverse engineering and CAD industry to teaching and skills transfer for reverse engineering methods. Carter is a product engineering executive with broad experience in military, medical device, automotive, sports and aerospace product development. Trained with years of practice, he believes in “taking the Ph.D. out of 3D."

Carter started his career working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the US Olympic sports science committee developing reverse engineering methods applied to rapid prototyping between 1992 – 1998, in which he designed Olympic equipment for winning gold medals. He co-founded HighRES, Inc in 1995 and served as its chief executive officer, chief technology officer and president. His goal at HighRES, Inc was to commercialize the proven reverse engineering software for Solidworks, Inventor, SolidEDGE, MasterCAM, Autocad, Rhino, Pro Engineer, KEYCreator, ANSYS spaceclaim, and Siemens NX. He also worked as the chief technical officer at ReverseEngineering.com, where after 19 years, their software products continue to develop new methods that simplify the 3D Scan-to-CAD experience.

Carter majored in math computer science at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and studied computer programming at the Control Data Institute.

Full Bio