SolidWorks calculates the mass of each part based upon the assigned material and associated density.

To change the material (and associated density) assigned to a part, follow these steps:

1. Be certain you are looking at the part file to be changed. (This can't be done from a drawing or assembly file.)
2. Right click on the word "Material" (or previously assigned material name) that appears in part's FeatureManager design tree. This opens a context sensitive menu for changing the part's material.
3. Select Edit Material (using a left or right click) to open the Material dialog box.
4. The Material dialog box lists all of the defined materials in SolidWorks. Scroll to the material you wish to apply.
5. Left click on the material you wish to apply.
6. Left click on the Apply button near the lower right of the dialog box. At this point the material shown in the design tree changes to the selected material.
7. Left click on the Close button near the lower right of the dialog box. This closes the Material dialog box and returns to the part. All of the properties associated with the selected material have been applied to the part.
8. Assuming you wish to review the part's mass or density, open the Mass Properties tool and observe the results of the material change.

The following image shows the "Material" location in the design tree. As indicated by the <not specified> note, no material has been assigned to this part.

The next image shows the Material dialog box. In this image, the material AISI 304 has been selected under the Steel category. Note both the Apply and Close buttons near the lower right corner of this dialog box.

After a material is assigned, "Material" changes to the assigned material name. In the following example, AISI 304 stainless steel has been assigned to this part. Observe that the <not specified> note is no longer present.

Key Lesson Concepts:

• Change the material and density of a part by editing the Material assigned to the part.
• Right click on the Material or currently assigned material in the FeatureManager design tree to assign a new material.
• SolidWorks provides a collection of standard materials by default.
• New and custom materials can be added to the SolidWorks material library.