There are various CAD challenges out there that come with bragging rights. Some, like the Certified Solid Works Professional Exam (CWSP) might actually look good on a resume. [Deltahedra] is apparently not too interested in padding his resume, nor does he have much interest in SolidWorks, and so decided to conquer the CWSP with FreeCAD in the name of open source — and to show us all how he did it.
Because these CAD exams are meant to show your chops with the program, the resulting video makes an awesome FreeCAD tutorial. Spoiler alert: he’s able to model the part, though it takes him about 15 minutes. After modeling the part, the CWSP exam needs you to find the mass of the part, which [Deltahedra] does with the FCInfo macro — which, of course, he shows us how to install and use. The second and third questions are similar: change some variables (it is a parametric modeling software, after all) and find the new mass. In a second exercise, he needs to modify the model according to a new drawing. Modifying existing models can sometimes be more difficult than creating them, but [Deltahedra] and FreeCAD pass with flying colors once again.
If you’re at all curious about what FreeCAD can do, this video is a really impressive demonstration of FreeCAD’s part modeling workbench. We’ve had a few FreeCAD guides of our on on Hackaday, like this one on reverse engineering STLs and this one on best practices in the software, but if you’d asked us before the release of v1.0 we’d never have guessed you could use it for a SolidWorks exam in 2025. So while there are kudos due to [Deltahedra], the real accolades belong to the hardworking team behind FreeCAD that has brought it this far. Bravo!
How important are certifications in the CAD world? Last I checked it was still mostly draftsmen who worked with CAD software. Of course, mechanical engineers did too, but they usually told draftsmen what to make.
For $5000, I am offering certifications on anything to anyone. I’ll even print and sign a diploma for you to hang.
I teach CAD courses at a state college and, at least around here, I can confirm that a cert can make the difference between getting a job and not. The SolidWorks certifications (CSWA, CSWP and CSWE) are industry recognized. A CSWP, for example, is more sought after than a A.S. in CAD. I’ve started requiring students to complete the certs for each class as it gives students 1 an edge.
The Autodesk certs are less thorough, so not as important. Still good to have if you’re looking for a job in drafting, however.
I have been a professional Draftsman/CAD operator for 30 years w/ no college degree or certifications.
cert is useless. PhD is minimum for any job change my mind
Are we talking about industry certification, 3rd party certification, or a type of community college credential certification? I ask because by daughter is going to earn something called a “SolidWorks Certificate” from her community college as she completes her CAD AAS.