Problem

This article describes different methods you can use to add material information for use in SOLIDWORKS Simulation.

Solution 1: Adding Custom Materials by modifying an existing Material

1. In a part document, right-click Material in the FeatureManager design tree and select "Edit Material"

   

2. In the material tree, locate the material to base the custom material on

3. Right-click and select "Copy", or press CTRL + C on the keyboard to copy the material to the clipboard

   

4. In the material tree, select a category in a custom library. You can use the Custom Materials library or a library you created.

   

5. Right-click and select "Paste", or press CTRL + V on the keyboard to paste the material

   

6. Optional: Right-click the material and select "Rename" to rename it

   

7. Edit the properties of the material, then click Save. Note: If there is a warning about not being able to write the Material Library file, close SOLIDWORKS, reopen it as Administrator, and then try making the Material Library changes.

   

8. Apply the material as desired in SOLIDWORKS

Solution Two: Downloading Materials from the SolidWorks Materials Web Portal

This option is only available to customers with an active subscription and who have a license for SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional or SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium. The SOLIDWORKS Materials Web Portal is hosted by Matereality LLC.

1. In the Material dialog box, select the option on the lower left side for "Access more materials from SOLIDWORKS Materials Web Portal". In older versions, this may say "Click here to access more materials using the SOLIDWORKS Materials Web Portal".
   

2. Select the settings for "Select Study", "Select Material Model", and "Select Type of Materials"

   

3. Select a "Database to search" and click "Locate Materials"

   

4. Hover the mouse over a specific material node to view information about its data source and material properties

   

5. Click the node to activate the material

6. Click the "Download" button at the top left side. When prompted to open or save the material database (*.sldmat), click Save. Note the folder location where the material database is stored.

   

7. Go to Tools > Options > System Options > File Locations > Material Databases to add the folder location for the material file that was added. Note: All subsequent material downloads are stored under the Matereality Materials folder, in the appropriate subfolder (Rubber, Plastic, or Metal).
8. Right-click Material in a Part Feature tree to select "Edit Material"

9. Browse to the new Material

   

10. Click "Apply" and then "Close" to apply the material

 For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.