--- title: How To Convert Solid Bodies To Weldments In SOLIDWORKS description: When creating weldment structures, we make use of 3D sketches. 3D sketches can often be more challenging to use than their 2D counterparts. A more straightforward way to create weldment structures is --- [Skip to content](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/how-to-convert-solid-bodies-to-weldments-in-solidworks#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [More support](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [![MECAD Systems Logo - Original 2](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/MECAD%20Systems%20Logo%20-%20Original%202.png?width=190&height=60&name=MECAD%20Systems%20Logo%20-%20Original%202.png)](https://mecad.co.za/) - [About](https://mecad.co.za/about/) - [Products](https://mecad.co.za/products/) - [Training](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-training/) - Support Show submenu for Support - [Request Support](https://mecad.co.za/request-support/) - [Contact Us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) - Resources Show submenu for Resources - [Promotions](https://mecad.co.za/end-of-promotion/) - [Product Brochures](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-product-brochures/) - [Customer Stories](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-customer-stories/) - [Blog](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-blog/) - [Webinars](https://www.youtube.com/@mecadsystems-solidworksand4875) - [Events](https://mecad.co.za/events/) - [Careers](https://mecad.co.za/careers/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [About](https://mecad.co.za/about/) - [Products](https://mecad.co.za/products/) - [Training](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-training/) - Support Show submenu for Support - [Request Support](https://mecad.co.za/request-support/) - [Contact Us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) - Resources Show submenu for Resources - [Promotions](https://mecad.co.za/end-of-promotion/) - [Product Brochures](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-product-brochures/) - [Customer Stories](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-customer-stories/) - [Blog](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-blog/) - [Webinars](https://www.youtube.com/@mecadsystems-solidworksand4875) - [Events](https://mecad.co.za/events/) - [Careers](https://mecad.co.za/careers/) - English Show submenu for translations - [More support](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - [Contact us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) [Contact us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [MECAD Systems Knowledge Base](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [General FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en) 3. [Weldments](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#weldments) # How To Convert Solid Bodies To Weldments In SOLIDWORKS Creating weldment structures in SolidWorks typically relies on 3D sketches, which are often more challenging to work with than 2D sketches. A simpler, more efficient approach is to create the weldment structure by converting a solid body into a 3D sketch using the Convert Entities tool. Firstly, I would like to create a weldment structure with an L-shape. To do this, an L-shape solid is created from a single 2D sketch. ![](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hubfs/image-png-May-09-2022-06-24-22-37-AM.png) Next, open a 3D sketch. Select a single edge of the solid body, then press Ctrl + A to select all remaining edges. Use the Convert Entities tool to convert all selected edges into 3D sketch geometry. Once complete, use the Delete/Keep Body feature to remove the solid body, as it is no longer needed. Note: A key benefit of this workflow is that any future changes to the original solid body will automatically propagate to the weldment structure, preserving parametric associativity. The resulting 3D sketch and weldment structure are shown below. ![](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-09-2022-06-25-52-30-AM.png?width=290&name=image-png-May-09-2022-06-25-52-30-AM.png)![](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hubfs/image-png-May-09-2022-06-25-59-39-AM.png)   When using this method, only the edges of the solid body are converted into 3D sketch geometry. If additional edges are required — for example, to define intermediate weldment segments — they can be added before converting by using the Split feature. The example below demonstrates one approach: two offset planes (used as trim tools) are created from the Top Plane. The Split feature then divides the original solid body into three separate solid bodies, introducing the additional internal edges needed for the weldment structure. ![](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-09-2022-06-31-22-56-AM.png?width=240&name=image-png-May-09-2022-06-31-22-56-AM.png)                                    ![](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-09-2022-06-31-29-87-AM.png?width=240&name=image-png-May-09-2022-06-31-29-87-AM.png) With all the required edges in place, follow the same procedure described above to apply the weldment structural member profiles and complete the structure. The overall dimensions of the weldment can be adjusted by modifying the solid body's sketch dimensions, while the positions of the middle segments can be controlled by changing the offset distance of the planes. ![](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-09-2022-06-33-23-68-AM.png?width=215&name=image-png-May-09-2022-06-33-23-68-AM.png)                                          ![](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-09-2022-06-33-29-39-AM.png?width=215&name=image-png-May-09-2022-06-33-29-39-AM.png)   *Last reviewed: May 9, 2022. 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