How Do I Make a Video in SolidWorks?

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Are you looking to create a video in SolidWorks? Whether you want to showcase your design process or create a tutorial for others, SolidWorks provides you with the tools to easily capture and share your work. In this article, we will explore step-by-step how to make a video in SolidWorks.

Step 1: Setting up the Animation

Before you can start recording your video, you need to set up the animation in SolidWorks. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Open your design: Launch SolidWorks and open the design file that you want to create a video of.
  2. Navigate to the Animation tab: Once your design is open, go to the Animation tab located in the top menu bar.
  3. Create a new motion study: Click on the “Motion Study” button to create a new motion study for your animation.

Your animation timeline will now appear at the bottom of the SolidWorks interface. This timeline allows you to control and manipulate objects within your design throughout time.

Step 2: Adding Keyframes

In order to animate objects within your design, you’ll need to add keyframes. Keyframes define specific points in time where an object’s position or properties change. To add keyframes:

  1. Select an object: Choose an object within your design that you want to animate.
  2. Navigate to the Motion Manager tab: Go to the Motion Manager tab located on the left side of the screen.
  3. Add keyframes: Right-click on the object and select “Add Keyframe” to create a new keyframe at the current time.

Repeat this process for each object you want to animate, adding keyframes at different points in time to create smooth transitions.

Step 3: Configuring Animation Settings

Now that you have added keyframes, it’s time to configure the animation settings to fine-tune your video. To do this:

  1. Adjust keyframe properties: Select a keyframe and modify its properties, such as position, rotation, or scale, using the Motion Manager tab.
  2. Set animation duration: Specify the duration of your animation by adjusting the timeline’s start and end points.
  3. Add camera movements: To create dynamic camera movements, add a camera object from the Motion Manager tab and animate its position and orientation.

By experimenting with different settings and effects, you can bring your design to life and make your video more engaging.

Step 4: Recording the Video

Once you are satisfied with your animation, it’s time to record your video. SolidWorks provides a built-in screen capture tool that allows you to record your animation directly within the software. To record your video:

  1. Navigate to the View tab: Go to the View tab located in the top menu bar.
  2. Select Video Capture: Click on the “Video Capture” button to open the screen capture tool.
  3. Tweak recording settings (optional): Adjust recording options such as frame rate and output format according to your preferences.
  4. Start recording: Press the “Record” button to start capturing your animation.
  5. Stop recording: Once your animation is complete, click the “Stop” button to finish recording.

Your video will now be saved to your chosen location, ready to be shared with others.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to make a video in SolidWorks.

By following these steps and exploring different animation settings, you can create stunning videos that effectively communicate your design process or tutorial. So go ahead and unleash your creativity with SolidWorks!