1. In the Material dialog box, under Select material source, select Custom defined.

The material tree is grayed out and the Edit button changes to Save.

2. In the Material Properties box, do the following:

1. Select the desired Model Type. Available material models depend on the active study type. For a list of available material models, click here.

2. Set the Units.

3. Type a name for the material Category.

4. Type a Name for the material.

5. Type a Description for the material.

3. In the properties table, enter the numerical values of the material properties as required by the analysis type of the active study.

4. If desired, you can define temperature-dependent properties on the Tables & Curves tab.

5. Click Save.

The Save As dialog box opens.

7. In the File name, type a name for the material library.

8. Click Save.

The program automatically adds the extension .sldmat to the name you specified and you will return to the Material dialog box.

9. Click OK.

When you bring the Material dialog box next time, the new material library should appear in the material library list if its path was included in the SolidWorks' material database. The next procedure explains how to add a material library (with extensions *.sldmat or *.lib) to the material library list.

 

1. Create your own material database file (*.sldmat) as described in the above procedure.

2. Click Tools, Options.

The System Options - General dialog box opens.

3. Click File Locations from the list.

4. Under Show folders for, select Material Databases.

5. Click Add.

The Browse For Folder dialog box opens.

6. Select the folder where you saved the material library you created and click OK.

The selected folder appears in the Folders list.

7. Click OK.

When you open the Material dialog box again, the specified material library you created will appear in the library list.

 

1. In the Material dialog box, under Select material source, select From library file.

2. Select a material library then select the material you want to edit and click Edit.

The Edit button changes to Save and the material properties become available for editing.

3. Change the desired material properties then click Save.

A message pops up asking whether you want to save the material to the current library.

4. Click Yes.

You will return to the Material dialog box.

5. Click OK.